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catch-me-hello · 2 months ago

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Make Mate 1, Episode 7: we creMATE common sense.

This will be the shortest episode of the series so far, clocking in at just over an hour. I’m hoping this means no eliminations right now. Two of my picks, Miraku and Kim Hak Sung, need to prove themselves in the battles today. They’re ranked at 13 and 23, respectively, and they need to move up. Let’s do this.

Suddenly, we get rankings again, based on the previous week’s online voting. I can hardly bear to look.

Number 26 is Yoon Jae Yong. Falls from Number 12 right after his Black Mamba Team wins with special stage effects. He was ranked third on his team and still fell 14 spots. I’m starting to think these voters are fickle.

Number 25 is Seo Ji Ho. His Unforgiven Team just lost in the last episode, and now he’s down 5 spots.

Number 24 is Choi Min Joon. Hasn’t ranked higher than 22 all series.

Number 23 is 07 Kim Seung Ho. Because I just found out which one he is, I don’t know if he’s rising or falling.

Number 22 is Shin “Triceps” Won Chun. He’s plummeted from Number 7. He’s fallen right off the platform.

Number 21 is 06 Kim Seung Ho. I don’t know why I bothered figuring out these two when it looks like they’re on their way out.

Number 20 is Jung Jae Young. Our 200-song dancing machine falls two spots.

Number 19 is Tukuma, down from Number 9. What’s going on here? This is our second trainee so far to fall a long way off the platform. His TXT Team won in their battle, and he still fell this far. This isn’t good.

Number 18 is our flexible Kim Shi On, who has also fallen off the platform. He was Number 3 last time. His team hasn’t even performed yet.

Number 17 is Jeong Hyun Wook. Rises 4 spots after his Unforgiven Team loses. Now I’m starting to think the voters aren’t just fickle. They might also be drunk.

Number 16 is Jung Hyun Joon. Our 15 year-old show maknae also fell off the platform, dropping 8 spots. He’s led two teams to defeat, and now this. Poor kid.

Number 15 is Lee Jang Hee. Jumped 10 spots, and again, his team didn’t even perform last episode.

Number 14 is Jang Hyun Joon, our theme song’s main vocalist. He ranked Number 2 last time. The platform is going to look drastically different.

Number 13 is Noh Ki Hyun. Mr. Popular is up four spots. His SHINee Team lost, but he was the top vote-getter on his team. Not that it seems to mean anything with the voters when it comes to overall rankings, especially when they seem to be voting from inside bottles of Soju.

Number 12 is my pick Miraku. Up one spot, and again, his team hasn’t even performed yet.

Number 11 is Midori, and wow, that’s a huge leap. He barely survived getting eliminated at Number 26 last episode, and over the course of a week, he shot up 15 spots.

Now for the Top 10.

Number 10 is Lee Do Ha. Up from 22. I have mixed feelings about this, which we’ll address later when his team performs in this episode.

Number 9 is An Xin. Up from Number 15 after his Black Mamba Team wins and he ranks 2nd on his team.

Number 8 is Kim Hak Sung – WHAT?! My defector rose 15 spots to land on the platform! Drink all you want, voters. You clearly make good decisions when you’re drinking.

Number 7 is Jo Min Jae, our Six Singers guy who has dropped one spot but stays on the platform. I know he’ll make it to the final group. He’s stayed in the Top 7 all series.

Number 6 is my K-pop Elvis pick, Han Yu Seop! Up five spots and back on the platform. And I think I already know where my final pick, Bing Fan, is going to land, so I can breathe easy now.

Number 5 is Seo Yoon Deok. Our SCUBA diver rose 11 spots, but I already promised I wouldn’t make a joke about getting the bends.

Number 4 is Jeon Joon Pyo. Riizes 6 spots after leading three teams in a row to victory. After this series ends, I’m going to Google to find out if Riize noticed and maybe threw a few votes his way.

Number 3 is Lin. This is the trainee who shot up from 21 to 4 last time. He’s up one more spot. The fans must adore him.

Number 2 is Jia Hao, finally back on the platform after losing battles again and again. Which, of course, leaves us with the Jooheon Pledge Keeper…

Number 1, Bing Fan. Our handsome king and top vote-getter on Team Unforgiven. His team may have lost that round, but it seems nothing will keep him out of that top spot.

And now we go back to the venue stage with our EXO idol, Xiumin. It’s time for the Solo Artist Song Battle. The artists are G-Dragon and Taeyang. Our two teams take the stage looking like total badasses, and I am so ready for this. Even our pretty boy Midori looks like he’s here to throw down.

Xiumin chats with our teams, and we learn that each team gained a new member during the team reshuffling. We get some more adorable trash-talking, because apparently Team B did very poorly at the interim check, because of course they did. I’m sure we’ll see it in a flashback.

Xiumin tosses the MA1 chip, which he calls the “chip of destiny,” to see which team will go first. Team B wins the toss, so now it’s time for them to introduce themselves.

Midori, our viral TikTok dancer from Japan. He was the late addition to this group, and it looks like he’s the team Leader. Backstage, the celebrity guest judges remember seeing his viral videos and imitate some of his moves.

Jang Hyun Joon, our show’s theme song main vocalist.

Noh Ki Hyun, our “most popular” guy, who ironically is struggling in the ratings. I bet he really wishes his fellow contestants hadn’t given him that title.

Kim Hak Sung, my North Korean defector pick, who looks ready for battle. The sporty street look works on him.

Jo Min Jae, our Six Singers descendant, fresh off his Battle 1 win on SHINee Team A.

And finally, Choi Min Joon, who has been struggling in the rankings all series. This performance will be do or die for him.

Now for the artist and song reveal. Team B will be performing Taeyang’s song “Ringa Linga.” I like the clip they play. The choreo looks really difficult. Backstage, Sunwoo and Ju Hak Nyeon from The Boyz, some of the best dancers in K-pop, say the choreo is intimidating.

Xiumin sets up what sounds like an interesting flashback. Apparently, during Team B’s rehearsals, Jang Hyun Joon lost his Leader position to Midori. Please don’t let this be over some expression contest. Back in time we go.

We open on Team B right after the eliminations. They’ve lost several teammates and are down to five. They’re hoping Miraku will join them. They don’t want Midori to join them because they don’t think he’ll do the choreography very well, which is a strange thing to say about a guy who went viral on TikTok because of his dancing. Jang Hyun Joon even says if their team gets Miraku instead of Midori, he’ll gladly hand over the Leader position. This team has weird priorities.

Then Midori walks in. It’s awkward. The trainees actually lie to his face that they were talking about how great it would be to have him on their team. They know he’s going to be watching this footage, right? This has to be scripted. Then they tell him the trouble they’ve been having since they’ve lost three teammates and add, “You’ve arrived in hell.”

Remember, Midori didn’t choose to join this team. He was forced to because he’s the lowest-ranking member. He’s also bummed because he was forced to leave Team Unforgiven, and he loves that song. He was so excited when he was originally put on that team. Good Lord, this show is mean.

So with a week to go, and two weeks wasted practicing a song he won’t be doing, Midori focuses on learning a whole new routine. He finally starts getting the hang of it and decides to have fun with it. He brings that positive attitude to the interim check in front of the judges. That positivity is short-lived. Right away, they want to know why Midori is the leader, and just like with the previous team, it’s because Midori won an expression contest.

Okay. For the record, a K-pop group’s Leader acts as the group’s representative, parental figure, problem-solver, spokesperson, peacekeeper, and sometimes the scapegoat when things go wrong. He’s the glue that keeps the group together. It’s a very important position that is not assigned based on an expression contest. What the hell is wrong with this show?

Then one of the judges says to Midori, in front of all his teammates, “But I hear this team didn’t want you on their team.” This is news to Midori, based on the expression on his face that he just won the Leader position for. None of the other trainees can meet his eyes. Then they try to stammer out an explanation. Keep in mind they haven’t even started their rehearsal yet, and now they’re off their game.

Midori gives us "getting bad news" realness.

The team tries to smooth things over with Midori, who insists that it’s FINE, the same way I insist that everything is FINE when inside I’m screaming and setting things on fire. Then Team B gets into formation and does a chaotic and clumsy rehearsal. When they get to their final pose, they know this hasn’t gone well.

The judges are quiet for a minute. Then one of them says, “I heard that Midori became the Leader for his expressions. But I don’t fully understand that. Why did he become the Leader?”

WHAT.

I thought the showrunners dictated that. No one said anything when Jung Hyun Joon was made Leader of his team for the same reason. You mean the trainees came up with that dumb idea on their own? Why didn’t anyone stop them?

Even more bewilderingly, we don’t get an answer. The other judges throw in their comments about how bad the rehearsal was, almost like they’re trying to change the subject, and I wish I could stop them and get back to how the “Expression Equals Leader” precedent was set. It makes zero sense.

Team B goes back into rehearsal. They change the lighting in the room and their outfits to get more immersed in the song. The choreo starts really coming together. Midori, for some reason, is still the Leader. And now, our flashback ends. Showtime.

They’re definitely having fun up there. They do a great job with a difficult song. The tempo of the song keeps changing, and it feels like someone with a very short attention span wrote it. The song doesn’t work for me, but the trainees did their best to keep up with it and gave an exciting performance. The judges and fans love it, and I know it was a big hit song, so I hope it give my pick Kim Hak Sung the boost he needs.

Time for Team A. They line up and introduce themselves.

Takuma. He’s been up and down the rankings, on and off the platform. He needs to kill the stage.

My pick Miraku. He’s been mostly in the teens in the rankings and also needs a big win.

Lin. We’ve got all the single-named trainees on this team. His fans love him so much, he shot up like a bullet in the rankings and is currently at Number 3.

Lee Jang Hee. He managed to struggle up to 15 in the rankings and needs to stand out more.

Lee Do Ha. He’s managed to get to the Number 10 spot, but I just don’t see him making it to the final group. He’s been on winning teams on this series, but he struggles to learn choreo and just doesn’t seem to have the talent or the drive.

And finally, our flexible Kim Shi On. Based on the rankings, I don’t think he’ll make it to the end either, but I really want him to. I’m pulling for this kid.

Team A will perform “Crooked” by G-Dragon. We learn that Takuma has been the leader of this group all along, so there’s been no mutiny based on an expression contest. However, his teammates say he was difficult as a Leader. You don’t say. Well, we need a storyline for this flashback, so here we go.

We cut right to the interim check in front of the judges. This group, like Team B, lost several members in the elimination. They were hoping to get Jia Hao or Bing Fan moved to their team. Instead, they got Miraku. Unlike Team B, they were not good at hiding their disappointment. What immature little jerks. I hope Miraku steals the show and all the votes.

So they manage to talk through it and gather for the interim check. They run through the performance. It’s a mixed bag. Takuma and Miraku get praise. And as I expected, Lee Do Ha is the weak link. He stumbles and forgets steps all through the choreo. I really don’t think he’s cut out for this. The judges actually call his performance a disaster. His rapping is also not good. He keeps losing the rhythm.

The good news is that Miraku continues to get high praise. He’s the one who fell apart after one little mistake in Stage 1, so I love seeing him gain confidence.

Team A goes back into rehearsal, and this is where Leader Takuma starts changing from nice guy into strict parent. He scolds the ones making mistakes and starts trying to whip everyone into shape. He also gets them some metal costume jewelry to make them look tougher, but somehow it make them look even more adorable.

Hi. We're bad to the bone.

Let’s see how this all works out. It’s showtime.

I don’t know what’s gotten into my pick Miraku, but he’s turned into a full-on rock star. I barely recognize the kid who was crying over one cracked note in Stage 1. He’s a man possessed in Stage 3.

I’m not crazy about this song either, but Team A is incredible performing it. The dance break is the best one I’ve seen on this series so far, maybe even out of all the shows I’ve recapped. The confidence level of this team is insane.

Hands down, Team A is the better performance. But I know how things can turn out on these shows. Even with the judges raving about Miraku, Takuma, and Lin, and even with Team B sweating with insecurity backstage, this could still go either way.

Both teams take the stage. The votes are tallied. And …

Team B wins.

Midori gives us "my team won" realness.

I am legitimately stunned. Both teams did a great job, but Team A was clearly beyond anything we’ve seen so far. The transformation of Miraku alone … but I get it. And besides, this is a win for my other pick, Kim Hak Sung, so I’ll take it. Also, I think this is the first time Midori has been on a winning team, so I’m happy for him.

But dammit, I’m really disappointed.

I’m very curious to see what these individual scores will look like.

I don’t understand the voters. I want them to explain themselves. Miraku deserved the top spot on his team. I do understand that Kim Hak Sung didn’t stand out enough to rank higher, but I do not understand about Miraku.

The third stage is officially over. The B Teams have won all the benefit points in Round 2.

We will get new rankings next episode, but there’s no way to predict any of this. I’m going to eat Yasso Bars until I feel better. See you next episode.

#kpop #recaps #survival reality shows #Make Mate 1 #NouerA

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goalhofer · 6 months ago

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2024 olympics South Korea roster

Archery

Je-Deok Kim (Seoul)

Woo-Jin Kim (Okcheon Gun)

Woo-Seok Lee (Incheon)

Hun-Young Jeon (Incheon)

Si-Hyeon Lim (Gangneung)

Su-Hyeon Nam (Suncheon)

Athletics

Jangwoo Kim (Seoul)

Byeong-Gwang Choe (Seoul)

Sang-Hyeok Woo (Daejeon)

Badminton

Hyeok-Jin Jeon (Ulsan)

Min-Hyuk Kang (Suwon)

Seung-Jae Seo (Buan Gun)

Won-Ho Kim (Suwon)

Ga-Eun Kim (Suwon)

Se-Young An (Gwangju)

Ha-Na Baek (Gimcheon)

So-Hee Lee (Ulsan)

So-Yeong Kim (Incheon)

Hee-Yong Kong (Jincheon Gun)

Yoo-Jung Chae (Suwon)

Na-Eun Jeong (Seoul)

Boxing

Ae-Ji Im (Hwasun Gun)

Yeon-Ji Oh (Gunsan)

Breakdancing

Hong-Yul Kim (Seoul)

Climbing

Eun-Cheol Shin (Seoul)

Dohyun Lee (Seoul)

Chae-Hyun Seo (Seoul)

Cycling

Eu-Ro Kim (Seoul)

Min-Ji Song (Seoul)

Diving

Jaegyeong Yi (Ulsan)

Jung-Whi Shin (Seoul)

Ha-Ram Woo (Busan)

Yeong-Taek Kim (Incheon)

Na-Hyun Kim (Seoul)

Su-Ji Kim (Changwon)

Equestrian

Young-Shik Hwang (Osan)

Fencing

Jae-Won Kim (Seoul)

Tae-Gyu Ha (Seoul)

Bon-Gil Gu (Daegu)

Sang-Uk Oh (Daejeon)

Sang-Won Park (Daejeon)

Gyeong-Dong Do (Yeongcheon)

Se-Ra Song (Geumsan Gun)

Hye-In Lee (Ulsan)

Young-Mi Kang (Incheon)

In-Jeong Choi (Geumsan Gun)

Ji-Su Yoon (Busan)

Sebin Choi (Suwon)

Ha-Young Jeon (Daejeon)

Eun-Hye Jeon (Daejeon)

Golf

Joo-Hyung Kim (Seoul)

Byeong-Hun An (Orlando, Florida)

Hee-Young Yang (Orlando, Florida)

Hyo-Joo Kim (Wonju)

Jin-Young Ko (Frisco, Texas)

Gymnastics

Jun-Ho Lee (Seoul)

Woong Hur (Seoul)

Sung-Hyun Ryu (Seoul)

Seo-Jeong Yeo (Yongin)

Do-Hyun Eom (Seoul)

Da-Yeong Lee (Seoul)

Yun-Seo Lee (Seoul)

Sol-Yi Shin (Chungju)

Handball

Bitna Woo (Seoul)

Eunseo Kang (Seoul)

Ji-Yeon Jeon (Samcheok)

Da-Young Kim (Busan)

Jin-Mi Shin (Seoul)

Ji-Young Song (Gwangmyeong)

Eun-Joo Shin (Incheon)

Eun-Hee Ryu (Incheon)

Jin-Hui Jeong (Seoul)

Sae-Young Park (Seoul)

Mi-Seul Han (Sokcho)

Eun-Hye Kang (Seoul)

Kyung-Min Kang (Incheon)

Bo-Eun Gim (Samcheok)

Judo

Won-Jin Kim (Cheorwon Gun)

Ba-Ul An (Anyang)

Joon-Hwan Lee (Gumi)

Ju-Yeop Han (Seoul)

Min-Jong Kim (Seoul)

Hye-Kyeong Lee (Ulsan)

Ye-Rin Jung (Daegu)

Mi-Mi Huh (Tokyo, Japan)

Ji-Su Kim (Himeji, Japan)

Hyun-Ji Yoon (Cheorwon Gun)

Ha-Jun Kim (Busan)

Pentathlon

Woong-Tae Jung (Gwangju)

Changwan Seo (Yeongam)

Sunwoo Kim (Seoul)

Seung-Min Seong (Daegu)

Sailing

Jee-Min Ha (Busan)

Shooting

Daehan Choe (Changwon)

Min-Su Kim (Seoul)

Ha-Jun Park (Yangyang Gun)

Won-Ho Lee (Busan)

Yeong-Jae Cho (Chuncheon)

Jong-Ho Song (Seoul)

Eun-Seo Lee (Seoul)

Kook-Hee Jang (Seoul)

Ji-Hyeon Keum (Ulsan)

Ha-Na Im (Wonju)

Ye-Ji Kim (Danyang Gun)

Ye-Jin Oh (Hacheon-Ri)

Ji-In Yang (Namwon)

Gee-Eun Kang (Seoul)

Bo-Na Lee (Seoul)

Swimming

Dong-Yeol Choi (Seoul)

Min-Seop Kim (Seoul)

Yeonghyeon Kim (Seoul)

Ji-Hun Kim (Seoul)

Yu-Chan Ji (Gwangju)

Sun-Woo Hwang (Suwon)

Woo-Min Kim (Busan)

Ju-Ho Lee (Seoul)

Sung-Jae Cho (Ansan)

Ho-Joon Lee (Seoul)

Yoo-Yeon Lee (Anyang)

Jae-Hoon Yang (Jinhae)

Yoonseo Hur (Seoul)

Ri-Young Lee (Seoul)

Yeon-Kyung Hur (Seoul)

Eunji Lee (Seoul)

Seo-Yeong Kim (Suwon)

Table tennis

Dae-Seong Cho (Seoul)

Woo-Jin Jang (Sokcho)

Jong-Hoon Lim (Busan)

Ji-Hee Jeon (Seoul)

Yu-Bin Shin (Suwon)

Eun-Hye Lee (Seoul)

Taekwondo

Tae-Joon Park (Ulsan)

Geon-Woo Seo (Seoul)

Yu-Jin Kim (Danyang Gun)

Da-Bin Lee (Ulsan)

Weightlifting

Joo-Hyo Bak (Goyang)

Dong-Ju Yu (Sunchang Gun)

Yeon-Hak Jang (Asan)

Su-Hyeon Kim (Suwon)

Hye-Jeong Park (Ansan)

Wrestling

Seung-Jun Kim (Seoul)

Seung-Chan Lee (Seoul)

Hanbit Lee (Seoul)

#Sports #National Teams #South Korea #Celebrities #Races #Fights #Boxing #Animals #Golf #Florida #Texas #Japan #Boats #Tennis

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sonhee · 6 months ago

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Lee So-hee (Korean: 이소희; born November 18, 1994), better known by the stage name Han So-hee (한소희), is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a supporting character in the television series Money Flower (2017), 100 Days My Prince (2018), and Abyss (2019) before transitioning into lead roles in The World of the Married (2020), Nevertheless (2021), My Name (2021) and Gyeongseong Creature (2023–2024).

Han was born as Lee So-hee (이소희) on November 18, 1994, in Ulsan, South Korea. She attended Ulsan High School of Arts where she majored in arts. In her senior year of high school, Han moved to Seoul to live with her grandmother, where she worked various part-time jobs to make ends meet. Han originally had no plans of entering the entertainment industry and wanted to continue pursuing higher education, stating that, "I got into a university in France, but I couldn't go because I didn't have enough money in my bank account. I had to have at least ₩60 million (approximately US$46,000) in my bank account to get a visa. I didn't have that, of course." While working part-time at pubs, modeling, and doing commercials to save up money, the head of the agency to which she belonged persuaded Han to try acting.

𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕-𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

Han appeared in SHINee's "Tell Me What To Do" music video in 2016. She made her acting debut in a minor role in Reunited Worlds (2017). She got her first main roles in MBC TV's Money Flower in 2017 and tvN's 100 Days My Prince in 2018. Later in 2018, she starred in KBS2's After The Rain and made an appearance in Roy Kim's "The Hardest Part". In 2019, Han played a supporting role in the tvN series Abyss, alongside lead actors Ahn Hyo-seop and Park Bo-young.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎: 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝

In 2020, Han starred in JTBC's The World of the Married alongside Kim Hee-ae and Park Hae-joon, in which she played a main role as Yeo Da-kyung, a young mistress. The television series ended its run as the highest-rated television series in Korean cable television history. Han received widespread recognition thanks to the success of the television series, and for her performance she was nominated for Best New Actress – Television at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏–𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬

In 2021, Han starred in JTBC romance drama Nevertheless alongside Song Kang. Later the same year, she starred in the Netflix original crime-action drama My Name as Yoon Ji-woo, a woman seeking revenge for her father's murder. For her performance in My Name, she was nominated for Best Actress – Television at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In March 2022, Han appeared in the four-episode Disney+ mini-series Soundtrack#1 alongside Park Hyung-sik. In September, she appeared as Princess Kayena in a live-action teaser for the Kakao Webtoon series The Villainess is a Marionette. The following year, she featured in BTS' Jungkook music video for his single "Seven", which was released on July 14, 2023.

In 2023, Han appeared in the 1945 historical drama Gyeongseong Creature with costar Park Seo-joon. The first season was released on Netflix from December 22, 2023 to January 5, 2024, and the second season was released on September 27, 2024. Han also made her film debut in March of 2024 with the LGBTQ indie film Heavy Snow, which premiered at the 38th BFI Flare. She is set to appear in upcoming tvN drama Two-Faced Lover alongside Byeon Woo-seok.

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲

In 2019, Han faced legal trouble after her estranged mother, known publicly as Ms. Shin, took out and failed to repay a ₩40 million loan with Han listed as the guarantor. A similar instance occured in 2022 when ₩85 million was borrowed using a bank account in the actress' name that "was opened arbitrarily [by Shin] when Han was a minor." Her mother was later arrested in September of 2024 for the operation of 12 illegal gambling establishments, in which "proxy owners" were used to allow patrons access to a a gambling website to play games like baccarat after purchasing game credits.

Han's agency, 9ato Entertainment, released a statement acknowledging that Ms. Shin had been involved in several fraud cases, including forgery, but clarified that their talent was not connected in any way.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

In March of 2024, Han was spotted at the same hotel as fellow actor Ryu Jun-yeol while on a vacation in Hawaii, igniting relationship rumors. She confirmed the relationship herself on a personal blog later that month, and hours later, Ryu’s agency released an official statement corroborating these rumors.

The couple was confirmed to be dating since the beginning of 2024; however, they split later that month. Ryu’s representatives as well as Han's agency released a statement confirming the breakup. “They both realized that their roles as actors are more important. They promised not to waste any more emotions on personal matters,” it read.

𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Han has been active as a model since 2016. Her advertisements include brands such as Ritz Crackers, CJ Group, J.Estina, Banila Co., Eider, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, L'Oréal, and Giordano International. In 2022, Han became a global brand ambassador for luxury fashion house brand Balenciaga and Swiss luxury watch brand Omega SA. She modeled for Balenciaga's 2023 Spring/Summer collaborative campaign with Adidas. In 2023, she was announced as the global brand ambassador for Singaporean fashion house label Charles & Keith, French luxury jewelry house Boucheron, and Korean-owned sportswear brand Fila. Also in 2023, Lotte Chilsung selected Han as the new face of Chum Churum soju.

In 2024, Han became a global brand ambassador for home appliance brand Shark.

#ִ ۫ ⁎ . musings.#wikipedia + my own little bits

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livinglifeonpause · 6 months ago

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BP - Mission 1

okay. watching the practice session then the youtube full performance. THEN i'll go back and watch the episode shit.

..............................................................................................................................

K-Group: LEE HWAN HEE (26, 5'9")/F/P/P - ew, also the Daewon knock off did NOT hit that note. HAN YU SEOP (20, 5'8")/F/?/F - I'mma pass them all except the one in the Johnny Cherry Bomb bib HONG KEON HEE (19, 6'2")/P/P/P - the one in the black shirt is fine at rapping JANG YEO JUN (19, 5'10")/F/P/P PARK GUN WOOK (19, 6'0")/P/P/P - okay so he's such a cutie. please take care of him. (also him shaking while saluting,,, omooooo.)

G-Group: KEITA (23, 5'5")/F/F/P - okay the one with White Sleeves was fine at rapping CHEN KUAN JUI (23, 5'9")/F/F/F MIN (24, 5'9")/P/P/F SEOK MATTHEW (22 5'7")/P/P/P - and the one with the red shit on his fingers and tie was good at vocals WANG ZI HAO (23, 5'10)/F/P/F ZHANG HAO (24, 5'11")/F/P/P - the one with the lace-up glove was fine too

Um, to be fair WANG ZI HAO (23, 5'10)/F/P should have gotten the Killing Part based on that nonsense they did.

[he's so overlooked it's criminal]

ZHANG HAO (24, 5'11")/F/P is the correct choice for main vocal

SEOK MATTHEW (22 5'7") - boys smiles too damn much. It's okay to show your upset boo boo!

ohhh PARK GUN WOOK (19, 6'0") is cutely cocky! I mean, he's not wrong though!

omfg, LEE HWAN HEE (26, 5'9"), Daewon knock off goes "I'm just Gunwook's puppet" UM GIRL SAME.

And awwwww PARK GUN WOOK (19, 6'0")-ie giving the other kid song prompts in the dance so he'd remember!

NOOOOOO, not PARK GUN WOOK (19, 6'0")-ie crying!!! TT

awwwww, MIN (24, 5'9")/P/P/F went to go stand in the corner!

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Girl, I am just WAITING for the voice cracks on this song.

K-Group: CHA WOONG KI (22, 5'8")/F/F/F JANG JI HO (20, 5'8")/P/F/F JUNG MIN GYU (24, 6'1")/F/F/F LEE DONG YEOL (25, 5'9")/F/F/F MUN JUNG HYUN (19, 6'0")/F/P/F SEO WON (23 5'7")/F/F/F YOO SEUNG EON (20, 5'10")/F/P/F naur, only the main vocal one did semi decent but only cause his voice didnt crack on the high note.

LEE DONG YEOL (25, 5'9") - he's handsome!

G-Group: HIROTO (22, 5'9")/F/F/F CCONG (23, 5'8")/P/P/F ICHIKA (31, 6'0")/F/F/F MA JING XIANG (20, 6'2")/F/F/F OUJU (20, 5'7")/F/F/F WEN YE CHEN (24, 6'0")/F/?/F YUKI (22, 5'8")/P/F/F

Oh they all really went head-to-head huh? well, i dont remember and I'm not going back to watch.

...........................................................................................................................

K-Group: LEE DA EUL (20 5'7")/F/F/F CHOI JI HO (20, 6'0")/F/P/F JEON WOO SEOK (21, 5'8")/F/F/F JEONG I CHAN (23, 5'10")/P/F/F KIM MIN HYUK (25, 5'11")/P/F/P - none of em were good. but i'll pass the one with the short-sleeve blazer cause he WAS the team LEE SEUNG HWAN (24, 5'10")/P/P/P - and the rapper with the blazer LIM JUN SEO (19, 5'10")/F/F/F

G-Group: CHEN YU GENG (26, 6'0")/P/?/F DONG DONG (23, 5'9")/F/F/F ITSUKI (18 5'7")/F/F/F TAKUTO (16, 5'5")/F/F/F WANG YAN HONG (25, 5'10")/F/F/F YANG JUN (25, 5'9")/F/F/F YUTO (19 5'7")/F/F/F

oh naurrrrr naurrrr naur.

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K-Group: KIM JI WOONG (25, 5'10)/P/P/P HAN YU JIN (17, 5'10")/F/P/P JI YUN SEO (19, 6'0")/F/P/P - the tall kid with big ears was borderline, but no one stood out as horrible. KIM MIN SEOUNG (20, 5'8")/P/P/P KIM TAE RAE (22, 5'8")/F/P/P KUM JUN HYEON (22, 5'11")/F/P/P YOON JONG WOO (24, 5'9")/F/P/P

KIM JI WOONG (25, 5'10)/P/P seems chill? plus he's cute comforting that other kid. I just googled it, he's the BL actor.

I mean it was fine. They all get passes.

HAN YU JIN (17, 5'10")/F/P/P - all this kid does is fuck up and cry and whine. HOW did he get into ZB1?? Like??? fuck that. He's not even good in ZB1 and his attitude is piss poor. "If there's a member thats ruining the performance, it's you" - still accurate.

G-Group: RICKY (20, 6'0")/F/F/F - this bitch has to cover his tattoo every damn day? *eyeroll* BRIAN (22, 6'1")/F/F/F CHEN JIAN YU (26, 5'10")/P/?/F FENG JUN LAN (25, 5'10")/P/F KRYSTIAN (24, 5'10")/P/?/F NA KAMDEN (23, 6'0")/F/P/F ZHANG SHUAI BO (22, 6'0")/P/F/F

So is KRYSTIAN (24, 5'10")/P/? really a dick or did he get an MNet edit?

Awwwww, they got NA KAMDEN (23, 6'0")/F/P crying! :/ There must have been SOME truth to it! eff you followers.

So I've decided. I'm Team KRYSTIAN (24, 5'10"). I think he was unjustly evil edited and NA KAMDEN (23, 6'0") is a whiney baby. And that's proven throughout other episodes too. yes, it's frustrating, but he took it to a place he didn't need to take it.

RICKY (20, 6'0")/F/F has the ability to both look boring as hell yet charismatic at the same time.

Honestly trainer bro, eff you. KRYSTIAN (24, 5'10") looks feminine and uncharismatic? fuck all the way off with that.

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K-Group: CHOI SEUNG HUN (16, 5'7")/F/F/F JEON HO YOUNG (19, 5'10")/F/P/F JUNG HO JIN (21, 6'0")/F/F/F JUNG SE YUN (16, 5'8")/F/F/F PARK GWAN YOUNG (23, 5'7")/P/P/P - the only one I'm passing is the older one with the bolero tie in the white. PARK MIN SEOK (22, 6'0")/F/P/F

WHO PUT this angel baby on a show like this? CHOI SEUNG HUN (16, 5'7")/F/F

G-Group: YUTAKA (25 5'7")/F/?/F CHEN REN YOU (20, 6'0")/F/F/F HYO (22, 5'8")/F/F/F KEI (18 5'7")/F/F/F QIU SHENG YANG (23, 5'10")/F/F/F RIKU (19, 5'11")/F/F/F XUAN HAO (28, 5'11")/F/F/F

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K-Group: LEE DONG GUN (19, 5'10")/F/F/F BAK DO HA (21, 5'11")/F/F/F CHOI WOO JIN (19, 5'7")/P/P/F PARK HAN BIN (22, 5'9")/F/P/P - the only one I'm passing is the sleeveless one. PARK HYUN BEEN (19, 5'10")/F/P/F PARK JI HOO (18, 5'9")/F/F/F

okay this baby PARK JI HOO (18, 5'9")/F/F is cuuuuuute.

wait, how did PARK HAN BIN (22, 5'9") end up on this team??

G-Group: NICE (24, 5'11")/F/F/F CAI JIN XIN (20, 6'2")/F/F/F CHEN LIANG (24, 6'1")/F/F/F LIN SHI YUAN (25, 6'0")/F/F/F OLLIE (18, 6'0")/F/F/F OSUKE (21, 5'4")/F/F/F TOUI (21, 5'11")/F/?/F

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K-Group: HUI (31, 5'7")/P/P/P HAN SEO BIN (18, 5'8")/P/F/P KIM GYU VIN (20, 6'0")/F/P/F LEE JEONG HYEON (22, 6'1")/F/P/F LEE YE DAM (21, 5'5")/F/P/P OH SUNG MIN (23, 5'11")/P/F/P SUNG HAN BIN (23, 5'10")/P/P/F

okay but OH SUNG MIN (23, 5'11")/P/F over here acting like the leader

HUI (31, 5'7")/P/P doing too much though and it doesn't match the group :/ Like take it down 3 notches. Idk man. I'mma pass him though.

yeah KIM GYU VIN (20, 6'0") struggling. I've said it 100x. He's NOT good.

G-Group: DANG HONG HAI (20, 5'11")/F/F/F - failing knock off hansol ANTHONNY (20, 5'8")/F/P/F HARU (18, 5'6")/F/P/F HARUTO (19, 5'7")/F/P/P JAY CHANG (23, 5'9")/P/P/P WINNIE (25 5'7")/F/F/P WUMUTI (25, 5'9")/P/F/F

I'm liking WUMUTI (25, 5'9")/P/F alot more here than in Build Up. Here he seems real and in Build Up he seemed fake. Like not even real cunty, like put on cunty.

hahaha, omfg HUI (31, 5'7")/P/P "It's K-pop, but he's singing Pop." Um, who's gonna tell him?

haaaaaaaaaaa, the judges being in love with JAY CHANG (23, 5'9")/P/P/P. GIRL, SAME!

omggg, WUMUTI (25, 5'9")/P/F is so cute in the backround when they say the other kids ears are red!

also fr though, how CAN JAY CHANG (23, 5'9")/P/P/P sing like that while dancing? And how did he not win this whole damn competition?? AND HOW DID HE ONLY GET 66??

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Wait, how did they pick which ones arm wrestled?

#Boys Planet #BP4 #Episode 3 #_bp #_boysplanet #Episode 4

0 notes

saturdiey · 9 months ago

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𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲

𝐆𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | 𝐓𝐁𝐀 / 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 – 𝐘𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐞 𝐎𝐤

Yoon Chae-ok is a famous detective who can track down missing people, even ones who are dead. For more than 10 years, Yoon Chae-ok has worked with her father, Yoon Jung-won, to track down missing people, even ones who are dead.

She has a sharp eye and agile survival skills learned from her rough childhood roaming across Manchuria and Shanghai with her father. While investigating a series of missing person cases, including her missing mother's whereabouts, she crosses paths with Jang Tae-sang, the wealthiest man in Gyeongseong and the Master of the city's biggest pawn shop. Tae-sang is under threat from the Japanese police commissioner Ishikawa, whose beloved Korean mistress is missing. They strike a deal to assist each other in their respective missions. Chae-ok, Tae-sang and Jung-won infiltrate Ongseong Hospital in search of clues.

(source)

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 #𝟏 (사운드트랙#𝟏) | 𝐍𝐇𝐍 𝐁𝐮𝐠𝐬! & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐲+ / 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 – 𝐄𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐨

Soundtrack #1 tells the story of the struggles of Eunsoo (Han So-hee), a songwriter, and Sunwoo (Park Hyung-sik), a boy who has been her best friend for 19 years.

When faced with the challenge of writing a hit song about a one-sided love, unexpectedly, the two must stay together and share a love story to complete the song.

Han So Hee portrayed Lee Eun Soo's bright and honest character in a fun way through her cheerful acting.

(source)

𝐌𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 (마이 네임) | 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐱 / 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 – 𝐘𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐢 𝐖𝐨𝐨 / 𝐎𝐡 𝐇𝐲𝐞 𝐉𝐢𝐧

My Name tells a story about female revenge and redemption. Teenager Yoon Ji-woo experiences bullying at Shin Young Girls’ High School because of her father’s involvement in the criminal underworld. After his sudden death, Ji-woo reaches out to Dongcheon leader Choi Mu-jin, who subsequently trains the girl over the course of several years, and helps her infiltrate the Inchang Metropolitan Police Department. The storyline follows Ji-woo as she attempts to identify her father’s killer while fighting against a misogynist drug dealer.

(source)

𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 (알고있지만) | 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐱 / 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 – 𝐘𝐨𝐨 𝐍𝐚 𝐁𝐢

Yoo Na Bi, a student at Hongseo University's Sculpture Department, who has given up on love but still wants to go out on dates. Due to a cruel experience with her ex-boyfriend, she no longer believes in destiny and has vowed never to fall in love again.

(source)

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 (부부의 세계) | 𝐉𝐓𝐁𝐂 / 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 – 𝐘𝐞𝐨 𝐃𝐚 𝐊𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐠

Yeo Da-kyung is the only daughter of Yeo Byung-gyu and Uhm Hyo-jung. Da-kyung grew up in luxury so she lives without worries and life goals. She majored in contemporary dance following her mother's wishes even when she had no passion or talent in dancing. Ultimately, she decided to stop dancing and became a pilates instructor. The innocent and vulnerable girl then fell in love with Lee Tae-oh, a married man, and has been having an affair with him for over two years.

(source)

𝐀𝐛𝐲𝐬𝐬 (어비스) | 𝐭𝐯𝐍 / 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 – 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐞 𝐉𝐢𝐧

Han So-Hee is cast for a supporting role in tvN drama series “Abyss” starring Park Bo-Young and Ahn Hyo-Seop. In drama series “Abyss,” Han So-Hee will play Jang Hee-Jin. She is the fiance of Cha Min (Ahn Hyo-Seop). She is a beautiful, but mysterious woman.

(source)

𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧 (옥란면옥)|𝐊𝐁𝐒𝟐 / 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 – 𝐒𝐨𝐨 𝐉𝐢𝐧

𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 (백일의 낭군님) | 𝐭𝐯𝐍 / 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 – 𝐊𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐨 𝐇𝐲𝐞

Crown Princess, Kim Cha-eon's daughter and Lee Yul's wife. Like Yul, she is also forced into the marriage and is constantly neglected by her husband. She secretly harbours feelings for Moo-yeon, one of her father's hired killers and the father of the child she becomes pregnant with, causing great distress for her and her father, as she never consummated her marriage with Yul.

(source)

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 (돈 꽃) | 𝐌𝐁𝐂 / 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕-𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 – 𝐘𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐧

The show is about a family consumed by their greed and love for money, who are unknowingly being plotted against by a person within their inner circle. Here, So Hee’s character is a former employee of this family’s conglomerate and the secret lover of their CEO.

(source)

𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 (다시 만난 세계) | 𝐒𝐁𝐒 / 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕 – 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐧

Reunited Worlds centers on the story of a 19-year-old who dies in an accident, only to mysteriously find himself alive 12 years later, not having aged a day. The drama served as So Hee’s TV acting debut, where she played the fashion journalist named Lee Seo-won. Her character was the fiance of Young-joon (played by Scarlet Heart Ryeo’s Yoon Sun Woo), and the daughter of a hospital director.

(source)

0 notes

cosmosbeelover · 7 months ago

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The History of Korean Male Groups – From Yeonhee Professional Singers’ Quartet to BTS -> Pt. 5/? (Rewrite)

I am quite surprised by the limited information available regarding this male group, which is known by two different names. I will endeavour to clarify the situation; the group in question is referred to as either 'Arirang Boys' (아리랑보이즈는) or 'Joseon Music Troupe' (조선악극단). It remains unclear why they operated under these two names. This situation is reminiscent of the male groups 'Yeonhee Professional Quartet' (연희전문사중창단) and 'Youth Member' (청년회원), where the former has significantly more information available compared to the later.

Before Liberation – 1940s

Prior to delving deeper, I would like to clarify my approach to discussing this male group, which predates the liberation era and thus had limited information available, similar to my previous post regarding the first two male groups (Part 2). I will first outline the group and its members, followed by the company they were associated with. Additionally, I will mention the 'Jeogori Sisters,' who were part of the same company as the 'Arirang Boys,' noting that one member from each group is a married couple. However, I will refrain from providing extensive details about the 'Jeogori Sisters' as they will be addressed in a future post within The History of Korean Girl Groups.

The Arirang Boys (아리랑보이즈는), a four-member project group, emerged around 1940 and frequently performed alongside the Jeogori Sisters, a female ensemble featuring Lee Nan-young (이난영), Jang Se-jeong (장세정), Kim Neung-ja (김능자), Lee Jun-hee (이준희), and Seo Bong-hee (서봉희). The group comprised Kim Hae-song (김해송), a singer and composer married to Lee Nan-young, composer Park Si-chun (박시춘), comedian Lee Bok-bon (이복본) known for his jazz performances, and composer-arranger Song Hee-sun (송희선). Additionally, Hyun Kyung-seop (현경섭), a trumpet player for an orchestra record company, occasionally filled in for other members.

In no particular order, members of Arirang Boys: Kim Hae-song (김해송), Park Si-chun (박시춘), Lee Bok-bon (이복본), Song Hee-sun (송희선) and Hyun Kyung-seop (현경섭) who occasionally filled in for other members.

Despite not releasing any albums, they achieved popularity through their use of instruments like the guitar and violin, enhancing their stage performances. According to singer Kim Jeong-gu's (김정구) testimony prior to his death, the Arirang Boys were particularly cherished for their comedic interludes during shows.

The Arirang Boys Members:

I will briefly talk about the ‘Arirang Boys’ members here but will go into detail about them separately in future posts.

Kim Hae-song (김해송)

A few other photos of him here.

Kim Hae-song, whose real name was Kim Song-gyu (金松奎) and Japanese name Kyouya Kobayashi (金山松夫), was born in December 1911 in Gaecheon, Pyeongannam-do, during the Japanese colonial era, and he passed away around 1950 at approximately 39 or 40 years of age. It is believed that he remained in Seoul throughout the Korean War and died while being abducted to North Korea.

A multifaceted artist, he was a composer, singer, lyricist, guitarist, and musical director, active from 1935 to 1950. He graduated from Pyongyang Gwangseong High School in 1933, and although there are unverified claims of his attendance at Sungsil College and Jochi University in Japan, these remain unconfirmed. In 1935, he signed with Okeh Records, marking the beginning of his career as a singer and composer.

Lee Bok-bon (이복본)

Lee Bok-bon (李福本), born in Seoul in 1911 and died around 1950?, he was a singer from Joseon and South Korea . He first appeared on the stage of Joseon Theater Company in 1933 and appeared in director Ahn Jong-hwa's (안종화) film 'Crossroads of Youth' (청춘의 십자로) in 1934. He is also called "Korea's first jazz singer" as a member of the Seoul theater company 'Mooran Rouge'. However, during the Korean War, he was kidnapped by the North Korean People's Army during the Battle of Seoul and disappeared thereafter, and is presumed to have died.

Park Si-chun (박시춘)

A few other photos him and information but nothing new here.

Park Si-chun, real name Park Soon-dong (박순동; 朴順東) was born on October 28, 1913, in Miryang, South Korea, was a versatile artist who passed away on June 30, 1996, at 82. His talents included music composition, guitar, and proficiency in instruments like the trumpet, violin, and saxophone. He also worked in the film industry as an actor, director, producer, and music director.

One of his notable works is the pro-Japanese song "Blood Letter Support," which expresses a desire to serve as a volunteer soldier during the Pacific War. The lyrics, by Jo Myeong-am, reflect strong pro-Japanese sentiments. In 2008, he was recognized as a pro-Japanese figure by the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities, and a festival honouring him sparked controversy. He was also listed among 705 pro-Japanese anti-nationalists by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2009.

Song Hee-sun (송희선)

I’m not shore which person in the photo shown above is Song Hee-Sun, but I hope this information that I found on him even though it a lot, is the wright Song Hee-sun.

The birth and death dates of Song Hee-sun remain unknown. He began his music education at Sungsil High School in Pyongyang and later ventured into the Japanese light music scene, establishing himself as a saxophonist and subsequently performing with OK Grand Shodan.

His notable contributions include musical dramas like "Dongyang no Rose" (동양의 장미) and "Golden Come Out Ttuktak," (금 나와라 뚝딱) as well as the song "The Young Days of the Sea" (바다의 젊은 날). Additionally, the arrangements he created for Lee Hwa-ja (이화자) during the Japanese colonial era are featured on the Oke album.

Hyun Kyung-seop (현경섭)

I’m not shore which person in the photo shown above is Hyun Kyung-seop, he might not be in the photo because he was occasionally filled in for other members at the time. While I was looking into Hun Kyung-seop I found this blog about him, that the National Museum of Korean History published a collection of Hyun Kyun-seop. As there is little information that I could find I’m going to add all the information here, but i will post him and other members' information separately in the future.

The National Museum of Korean History has published a collection featuring 267 artifacts related to Hyun Kyung-seop, a prominent trumpet player associated with Oke Records during the Japanese colonial era. This collection encompasses photographs of Hyun Kyung-seop and his personal diaries, providing insight into his life during this tumultuous period. Despite his significant contributions to music, particularly as a key member of the Joseon Music Troupe, Hyun Kyung-seop remains largely unremembered by contemporary audiences.

Beginning his career at the age of 22 in 1935, Hyun Kyung-seop gained recognition for his performances in Japan and China, with media outlets even comparing him to the legendary Louis Armstrong. His versatility extended beyond trumpet playing to include arranging, acting, dancing, and singing. However, his life took a tragic turn during the Korean War when he was abducted by North Korean soldiers in Seoul, leading to a prolonged absence that left his family in distress. Despite efforts by his son, Hyun-won, to locate him, including a DNA test through the Red Cross, the family faced numerous hardships due to the stigma associated with his disappearance, which severely restricted their opportunities and freedoms.

Hyun Kyun-seop playing the trumpet in the middle.

This compilation encompasses original images from each day of Hyun Kyung-seop’s diary, a variety of identification documents, photographs of his music colleagues, and all phonograph records he possessed, which have been digitally restored and compiled onto a DVD.

However, these DVDs are currently unavailable for access to my knowledge.

The once-obscure trumpet player Hyun Kyung-seop, who nearly faded from historical memory following his performance at the Seoul Geukdo Theatre in June 1950, has been immortalized through a collection published by the National Museum of Korean History. Transitioning from anonymity to becoming a symbol of the Japanese colonial era and the post-liberation music scene, this collection, made possible by the contributions of his family and the museum's restoration efforts, serves as a crucial resource for understanding the evolution of popular music in Korea.

Okeh Records (오케레코드):

Oke and Okeh Records are the same company. The photos shown below are people that worked for or with Okeh Records, and were attached with the information that I found of the company.

Founded in the early 1930s, Okeh Records highlighted diverse talents from Korea and Japan. Despite facing censorship and limitations, the label effectively developed around six notable groups, producing music films and establishing the Orchestration Team, Orchestra Music 'n Dance Research Institute, while managing Okestudio and theatres both domestically and internationally. The label also toured extensively across Korea, Japan, and Northern Asia, and created military songs. Although Okeh ceased its activities due to the Pacific War, its substantial yet often overlooked influence laid an essential groundwork for future artists following liberation.

Oke Records, a South Korean record label, was operational both prior to and following the country's liberation. The name "Okeh" derives from the Japanese pronunciation of the English term "Okay," and it is represented in the alphabet as 'Okeh.'

Founded in 1932, the exact date and conditions of its inception are not well-documented; however, the celebration of the '15th Anniversary of the Joseon Musical Troupe' (조선악극단) in April 1947 implies that the organization may have been established around April 1932.

Okeh Records was the latest addition to the five major record companies active during the Japanese colonial period, which included Columbia Records, Victor Records, Polydol Records, and Taepyeong Records, all of which ceased operations by 1943, coinciding with the end of the Pacific War. Despite being the last to enter the market, Okeh Records achieved notable success, becoming the second-largest producer of records and playing a crucial role in promoting many of the era's most prominent artists and songs.

Initially, the company was known as the Japanese Okeh Gramophone Company Gyeongseong Temporary Sales Office, later rebranded as the Gyeongseong Branch. The management was overseen by a Korean named Lee Cheol, although information regarding the company's financial structure is scarce. It is clear that Okeh Records depended on Japan's Teichiku Records for its recording and pressing operations, indicating a significant initial partnership with Teichiku. A theory suggests that Lee Cheol's wife, Hyeon Song-ja, had a school friend whose father was an executive at Teichiku Records, which may have aided in the branch's establishment; however, this connection remains unverified.

Okeh Records launched its first album in February 1933 and maintained an active production schedule for approximately 11 years, concluding around late 1943 or early 1944. It ranked second in the volume of new album releases, following Columbia Records, and played a pivotal role in the popular music industry, significantly outpacing its rivals. Initially, the company operated from the Japanese Deichiku Records studio until early 1936, after which it established its own recording facilities in Gyeongseong (Seoul) by late 1936, marking the beginning of its Gyeongseong recording era.

From its inception, Okeh Records prioritized stage performances and album production, featuring one of the finest bands of the time. The company distinguished itself by ensuring that all arrangements and accompaniments for popular music were performed by Korean musicians as Gyeongseong recording evolved. In 1937, Teichiku Records appointed Imura Ryozui as branch manager, taking over the operational rights from Lee Cheol, which led to the rebranding of the company as Teichiku Records Gyeongseong Branch.

Following a fire in January 1941, plans for a new office building were set in motion, resulting in a facility with studios completed by mid-May. Although the precise date of Okeh Records' final album release remains uncertain, it is believed that production continued until late 1943, with operations effectively ceasing in 1944 after the withdrawal of Japanese capital post-liberation. The reestablishment of Okeh Records in August 1948, highlighted by albums such as “Cry Silver Bell,” signified a new entity while honouring the legacy of the original Okeh Records.

Okegrand Show (오케그랜드쇼)

Since its inaugural album release in 1933, Okeh Records had prioritized stage performances, featuring a performance group known as the "Okeh Ensemble," (오케 앙상블) which consisted of artists exclusive to the label and toured extensively across the country, Japan, and Manchuria during recording intervals.

The transition of Okeh Ensemble into the Okeh Grand Show occurred when the operational rights of Okeh Records were transferred from Lee Cheol to Imura Ryozui, who had been sent from Japan's Teichiku Records post-1937.

Group of women that worked in Okeh Records. Not shore when this photo was taken probably around 1940s, and the name of the women are in the photo.

Following this shift, Lee Cheol, facing limitations on his decision-making in the recording industry, founded the Joseon Entertainment Company (initially named Joseon Recording Company) in January 1938, thereby venturing into a new domain of stage performances.

This evolution led to the reformation of the traditional orchestra into the Orchestra Grand Show, which emerged as the premier performing group in Joseon, eventually evolving into the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단) after its inaugural tour of Japan in 1939.

Orchestration Team (오케싱잉팀)

As the Joseon Akgeukdan expanded and managing multiple schedules became increasingly challenging, a sister group was established to split the performances into two factions, concentrating on popular music. This led to the formation of the Okesinging Team.

Both Photos - Not shore the name of the two ladies but both worked with Okeh Records. Note shore when both of these photo’s was taken, probably around 1940s.

The Okesinging (오케싱잉) Team, or Okegayodan (오케가요단), made its debut in June 1940, showcasing prominent artists from Okerecord, such as Lee Nan-young, Nam In-su, and Lee Hwa-ja. Despite its formal designation as a distinct entity, the Okesinging Team frequently performed alongside the Joseon Akgeukdan during events. Active until 1941, the Okesinging Team focused on musical performances before entering a brief hiatus. In 1943, it rebranded as the Shinseng Theatre Group (신생극단), broadening its repertoire beyond music and re-emerging on stage.

Orchestra Music and Dance Research Institute (오케음악무용연구소)

Akgeuk and Akgeukdan are the ‘Joseon Musical Troup’, I’m not shore why they are written as Akgeuk or Akgeukdan.

The Okeh Music and Dance Research Institute, founded by Lee Cheol (이철), who also established the Joseon Entertainment Company and led the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단), aimed to continuously identify and cultivate talent in popular arts, marking it as the first specialized educational institution for this field in history. Established in September 1940, the institute was directed by Lee Cheol, supported by a faculty of 13 professors from diverse disciplines who provided rigorous education to carefully selected students. Notable faculty members included Kim Hyeong-rae (김형래) in music, along with Kim Min-ja (김민자), Jo Yeong-suk (조영숙), and Lee Jun-hee (이준희) in dance.

This photo was taken in 1943 after the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단), the greatest entertainment group of its time, finished a performance in Tokyo to comfort Prince Yeong Chin. It was obtained and made public by Lee Jun-hee (이준희), a visiting professor at Sungkonghoe University (성공회대학교; 聖公會大學校). English – (1) Prince Yeong Chin (Lee Eun) (2) Princess Yi/ Lee Bang-ja (3) Kim Jeong-gu (4) Jang Se-jeong (5) Lee Nan-yeong (6) Lee Cheol, head of the Joseon Musical Troupe (7) Kim Hae-song (8) Lee Bok-bon (9) Lee Jong-cheol. Korean – (1) 영친왕(이은) (2) 이방자 (3) 김정구 (4) 장세정 (5) 이난영 (6) 이철 조선악극단장 (7) 김해송 (8) 이복본 (9) 이종철.

In February 1941, the inaugural performance of the first class of cadets, who had trained for approximately six months, took place, with Kim Baek-hee (김백희; 金白姬) emerging as the most distinguished among them; she later became a leading figure in musical theatre following Korea's liberation. By April 1941, an advertisement was released to recruit the second class, establishing an annual selection process for new cadets. These trainees underwent three years of instruction, during which they were not initially compensated but were exempt from tuition and provided with fashionable uniforms. After acquiring sufficient training and skill, they performed as backup dancers or in the chorus for the Joseon Music Troupe, with the most talented individuals given the chance to perform solo by their third year. Those who remained until their third year could earn a significant salary.

Baek Seol-hee (백설희; 白雪姬), who later thrived in musical and popular song genres post-liberation, was part of the third class selected in 1942 and made her solo debut just before graduating in 1944. Alongside Kim Baek-hee and Baek Seol-hee, the Okeh Music and Dance Research Institute nurtured numerous other talents in music and dance, such as Kang Yun-bok (강윤복; 康允福), Shim Yeon-ok (심연옥; 沈蓮玉), and Joo Ri (주리; 朱莉), significantly contributing to the continuation of Lee Cheol's legacy until the 1950s. The Aoi (アオイ) Music Theatre Troupe, a performance group, was established in May 1941.

Similar to the Joseon Music Theatre Troupe, the Joseon Entertainment Company managed the Aoi Music Troupe, which seemingly maintained a strong affiliation with the Okeh Music and Dance Research Institute. The troupe consisted entirely of female newcomers, and the Okeh Institute was the primary source for such talent, indicating a natural collaboration. The term 'Aoi,' which translates to 'blue' in Japanese, likely derives from 'Aoyama,' the surname of Lee Cheol, the leader of the Joseon Entertainment Company.

Following Lee Cheol's death in June 1944, the Okeh Institute rebranded itself as the Cheongsan Music and Dance Research Institute, further linking the name to Lee Cheol. The Aoi Music Troupe made its debut along the Honam Line in late May 1941; however, the absence of subsequent records suggests it may not have achieved commercial success and was likely disbanded. From the perspective of the Joseon Entertainment Company, this initiative can be viewed as a trial endeavour.

The last witness of the 'Joseon Musical Troupe', the life of Kang Yun-bok

This article was published after Kang Yun-bok’s (강윤복) who was a veteran dancer passed away in 2015, and talk about his life who worked for Okeh Records, and like the title says, he was a witness of the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단). I’ll briefly talk about him with the little information i found about him, as for some reason there is little information about him, don’t know why?

Veteran dancer Kang Yun-bok, whose birth name was Kang Yun-deok (강윤복), passed away on May 12, 2015, at the age of 91, due to natural causes.

Born in Pyongyang in 1924, Kang was a prominent member of the Joseon Music Troupe, a notable musical ensemble during the Japanese colonial era, and subsequently performed with the KPK Orchestra under the direction of composer Kim Hae-song, as well as the 8th US Army Show.

Kim Yun-bok during a KPK Orchestra performance in the late 1940s.

The 8th US Army Show thrived from 1953, coinciding with the presence of US forces during the Korean War, until the mid-1960s, when troop levels decreased due to the Vietnam War, and it was instrumental in launching the careers of various stars, including Patty Kim and Bok hee Yoon.

Music critic Park Sung-seo remarked that Kang Yun-bok was the last living member of the Joseon Akgeukdan, the premier popular culture group of the Japanese colonial period, noting that his low public profile has contributed to his obscurity, despite his significant role in the history of popular music.

Kang was married to the late Jeon Hae-nam, a trailblazer in Korean tap dancing, and he is survived by his son Park Jae-bin and daughters Dan-hee, Jin-hee, and Hyeon-hee.

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In September 1940, a significant milestone occurred in the realm of Korean popular arts with the establishment of the Okeh Music and Dance Research Institute by Lee Cheol, a prominent figure in colonial Joseon's music scene. Lee, who had already made a substantial impact through his work with Okeh Records and the Joseon Music Theatre Company, aimed to cultivate future talent in popular arts through this private educational institution. The institute became a breeding ground for numerous musicians and dancers who gained prominence in the 1940s and 1950s.

Kim Hae-song, Kang Yun-bok, and Joo Ri during a KPK Orchestra performance in the late 1940s.

The inaugural class attracted many teenage girls, who were enticed by the offer of free music, dance, and liberal arts education for three years, with the opportunity to perform on the Joseon Music Theatre Company stage for those who excelled. Ultimately, around 40 students were selected based on their appearance, talent, and growth potential, although the curriculum, which encompassed music theory, vocal training, and diverse dance styles, proved to be quite challenging.

After three years, only nine students graduated from the initial cohort of 40, among whom Kang Yun-bok (1924-2015) emerged as a notable dancer alongside Kim Baek-hee, a vocal music standout. Kang, who passed away on May 12, had initially enrolled at the research institute while attending Sookmyung Girls’ High School, driven by her passion for dance despite her family's strong opposition. Her remarkable talent and dedication soon alleviated her family's concerns, allowing her to flourish in her chosen path.

In April 1941, merely six months after his enrolment at the institute, he made his debut with the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단), quickly becoming a prominent member of the ensemble that performed across Korea, Manchuria, Japan, and China. By May 1943, he witnessed Prince Yeong Chin moved to tears by Kim Jeong-gu’s rendition of “Fallen Flowers Three Thousand” at the Prince’s Tokyo residence, and in June 1944, he learned of the unexpected passing of Lee Cheol, the troupe's leader, in Shanghai.

Kang Yun-bok, who appeared in a theatre show in the late 1950s

Following liberation, as the Joseon Akgeuk Troupe began to wane, Mr. Kang Yun-bok transitioned to the KPK Orchestra, which debuted in December 1945. This orchestra, founded by composer Kim Hae-song—a former key member of the Joseon Akgeuk Troupe who had departed earlier—incorporated many of its members, including Mr. Kang Yun-bok, effectively becoming its successor.

While the early 1940s marked the prominence of the Joseon Akgeuk Troupe, the late 1940s signified the rise of the KPK Orchestra. With the burgeoning Akgeuk market, Mr. Kang Yun-bok not only performed with various groups, including the KPK Orchestra, but also emerged as a significant choreographer.

The onset of the Korean War led to the loss of Kim Hae-song, the disbandment of the KPK Orchestra, and a swift decline in Akgeuk; however, Mr. Kang Yun-bok's influence in popular dance expanded during this tumultuous period.

In addition to various performances that supplanted musicals, the U.S. 8th Army Show, which gained momentum in the mid-1950s, and the presence of U.S. troops in Okinawa, Japan, created a demand for Mr. Kang Yun-bok's dance expertise. Furthermore, with the decision to deploy Korean troops to the Vietnam War, the Southeast Asian performance venues also sought his talents.

Beginning in the late 1960s, Kang Yun-bok primarily focused on stage and broadcast choreography while dedicating himself to mentoring future artists. His nearly four-decade career, which concluded in the late 1970s, represents a crucial chapter in the evolution of Korean popular dance. Despite the significant decline of this genre over the years, Kang's contributions extend beyond popular dance, playing a vital role in enriching the broader narrative of modern and contemporary Korean performing arts.

Group of women that worked in Okeh Records. Not shore when this photo was taken probably around 1940s, and the name of the women are in the photo.

The National Arts Archives has persistently sought Kang Yun-bok's involvement in the ongoing "Oral Recording of Korean Modern and Contemporary Art History" project, initiated in 2003. After several refusals, he finally agreed to participate on the 15th of last month.

Preparations for the project were progressing smoothly, with plans to finalize administrative tasks and commence the official oral recording in early June; however, Kang Yun-bok's unexpected passing occurred before this could take place. The loss of this key figure, who could have provided invaluable insights into the largely unrecognized Chosun Akgeukdan and KPK Orchestra, is profoundly felt.

While it is not uncommon for an individual's death to erase memories of a particular era, the immediate sense of loss in this instance is striking. Nevertheless, Mr. Kang Yun-bok left behind words and materials, and it is hoped that these can be gathered to illuminate the rich history of the past stage performances.

Joseon Musical Troupe's Performance to visit Prince Yeong Chin

This article published in 2010 was about a photo of the ‘Joseon Musical Troup’ visiting Prince Yeong Chin, that was deemed lost or a myth being found. I won’t go into much detail about the two royal family members shown in the photo as my main focus here is the ‘Joseon Musical Troup’.

Crown Prince Uimin Yi Eun, also known as Prince Yeong Chin or Lee Eun, lived from October 20, 1897, to May 1, 1970. He was part of the Imperial Family of the Korean Empire and held a political role within the Empire of Japan. He was married to Princess Yi Bang-ja, who was born on November 4, 1901, and passed away on April 30, 1989. Princess Yi Bang-ja was also a member of the Imperial Family of Japan and was the eldest daughter of Prince Nashimotonomiya Morimasa, making her the first queen.

At the former location of the palace, the evening smoke drifts lazily in the gentle river breeze, prompting a reflection on the fate of the three thousand palace ladies who once resided there.

In 1943, Kim Jeong-gu, a prominent 27-year-old singer of his era, performed his renowned song "Fallen Flowers Three Thousand" (낙화삼천) at the Akasaka mansion in Tokyo for Prince Yeongchin (Lee Eun) and Princess Yeongchin (Lee Bang-ja), who were held captive in Japan. The poignant performance moved Prince Yeongchin to tears, and soon, all fifty attendees were similarly affected.

A notable legend in Korean pop history recounts how the finest singers of the Joseon dynasty travelled to Japan to perform for Prince Yeong Chin, resulting in a collective outpouring of tears from the audience. The photograph surfaced, providing evidence that substantiates this poignant narrative. (The photo in question shown below)

This photo was taken in 1943 after they finished a performance in Tokyo to comfort Prince Yeong Chin. It was obtained and made public by Lee Jun-hee (이준희), a visiting professor at Sungkonghoe University (성공회대학교; 聖公會大學校). Prince Yeong Chin (Lee Eun) (영친왕(이은) and Princess Yi/ Lee Bang-ja (이방자) can be seen in the centre of the photo surrounded by the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’.

Lee Jun-hee, a visiting professor at Sungkonghoe University and an authority on vintage pop music, revealed on the 24th that he uncovered a commemorative photograph of the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ (조선악극단), which featured prominent artists of the era such as Kim Jeong-gu, Lee Nan-young, Jang Se-jeong, Song Dal-hyeop, and Kim Hae-song, alongside Lee Bok-bon and Lee Jong-cheol, during their visit to Prince Yeong Chin’s residence in Akasaka in 1943, where they held a consolation performance for the king.

The photograph was preserved by Kang Yun-bok, an 86-year-old first-year researcher at the Music and Dance Research Institute of Oke Records, led by Lee Cheol, the troupe's head, and Kang's experience parallels that of a modern trainee in a major entertainment agency. He also recounted the poignant moment when Prince Yeong Chin and the troupe members were moved to tears by Kim Jeong-gu's performance.

The professor noted that the Joseon Akgeukdan, established in the 1930s, was instrumental in cultivating many legendary singers and enjoyed significant popularity in Japan, which contributed to their emotional connection to Prince Yeong Chin, reflecting their sorrow over the loss of their homeland, a sentiment shared by all the performers who have since passed away.

I found the news clip of the ‘Joseon Musical Troupe’ first public release of footage of them. First public release of footage of the 'Joseon Akgeukdan' from the Japanese colonial period Anchor Translation – “Do you know about the 'Joseon Musical Troupe', which featured the best stars of the time during the Japanese colonial period? KBS has obtained footage of the Joseon Musical Troupe's activities, which soothed the nation's sorrow. This is reporter Cho Ji-hyeon.” Report Translation - "This is a performance by the Joseon Music Troupe in Japan in 1939, during the Japanese colonial period. The song they are singing passionately is the new folk song “A New Day Is Dawning.” You can see the faces of Go Bok-su, the greatest star of the time, from Living in a Foreign Land, Lee Nan-young from Tears of Mokpo, Jang Se-jeong from The Ferry Departs, and Nam In-su. This is “Money Song” sung by Kim Jeong-gu. <Recording> “The wind is blowing. The wind of money is blowing.” The conductor, Son Mok-in, is a giant of our music industry who composed Tears of Mokpo and Living in a Foreign Land. These videos were inserted into a Japanese film and are being released for the first time in 70 years. <Interview> Lee Jun-hee (Visiting Professor at Sungkonghoe University): “The oldest popular song material... It has tremendous historical significance.” During the Japanese colonial period, the Joseon Music Troupe enjoyed immense popularity, to the point of touring China and Japan. A photo taken in 1943 with the Joseon Music Troupe at the invitation of Prince Yeongchin, who was taken as a hostage to Japan, has also been released. It is said that Prince Yeongchin shed tears when Kim Jeong-gu sang 'Nakhwasamcheon', which is about the fall of Baekje. The Joseon Musical Troupe, which comforted the pain of the nation with songs during the colonial period. You can watch videos of their activities on the special song stage for the founding of the public corporation. This is Jo Ji-hyun from KBS News."

The photograph was featured on KBS 1TV's "Gayo Stage" as part of a special broadcast commemorating Independence Movement Day on March 1. During this episode, a video from 1939 showcasing the Joseon Akgeukdan was presented, which the production team acquired through a professor. The footage included performances by notable singers such as Nam In-su, Kim Jeong-gu, Go Bok-su, Jang Se-jeong, and Lee Nan-young, who collectively sang contemporary folk songs like "Don Taryeong" and "A New Day Is Bright." Producer Kang Young-won remarked that this video is likely the oldest surviving recording related to Korean pop music

There are probably more interviews about people talking about Okah Records and other Korean record company artists out there but at this point i can't find any more. If people can find any more interviews about veteran artists just post them below, it would really helpful.

While concluding my research on Okah Records, I discovered several interviews filmed in 2009 featuring individuals who were either married to or children of the artists associated with Okah Records during the 1940s. The interviews included Lee Young-mi, daughter of Lee Cheol; Oh Jeong-sim, wife of Son Mok-in; and Kim Young-jae, son of Kim Seong-heum. Unfortunately, these videos lack subtitles, leaving me unable to comprehend their discussions.

Despite the limited availability of videos featuring their families discussing these renowned artists, gaining insights and engaging with those who knew them proves invaluable for understanding the history of the Korean entertainment industry prior to liberation.

#kpop #90s kpop #boy group #10s #20s #60s #70s #80s #90s #2000s #2010s #Japan #history #korean history #Korea #South Korea #korean music history

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celtalks · 1 year ago

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SBS Drama Awards 2023: Triumphs, Tears, and Top Talent Shine at the Prism Tower

A Night of Glitz, Glamour, and Unforgettable Performances Celebrates the Best in Korean Dramas

In a dazzling spectacle held at the SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, the SBS Drama Awards 2023 unfolded on December 29th, drawing the curtain on a year filled with exceptional television storytelling. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Shin Dong-yup and Kim Yoo-jung, the ceremony not only showcased the immense talent within the Korean drama industry but also featured electrifying musical performances by TOMORROW x TOGETHER, Hwasa, Guckkasten, Doldams, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Lee Sung-kyung.

Grand Prize: A Celebration of Excellence

The prestigious Grand Prize was awarded to Kim Tae-ri for her outstanding performance in 'Revenant,' while Lee Je-hoon took home the honor for his remarkable role in 'Taxi Driver 2.'

Top Excellence Awards: Recognizing Genre Prowess

Top Excellence Award, Actor (Specialized Genre/Action Drama): Park Sung-woong in 'The Killing Vote' Top Excellence Award, Actress (Specialized Genre/Action Drama): Moon Chae-won in 'Payback' Top Excellence Award, Actor (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Song Kang in 'My Demon' Top Excellence Award, Actress (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Kim Yoo-jung in 'My Demon' Top Excellence Award, Actor (Seasonal Drama): Ahn Hyo-seop in 'Dr. Romantic 3' Top Excellence Award, Actress (Seasonal Drama): Lee Sung-kyung in 'Dr. Romantic 3'

Excellence Awards: Showcasing Versatility

Excellence Award, Actor (Specialized Genre/Fantasy Drama): Lee Joon in 'The Escape of the Seven' and Hong Kyung in 'Revenant' Excellence Award, Actress (Specialized Genre/Fantasy Drama): Lee Yu-bi in 'The Escape of the Seven' Excellence Award, Actor (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Ryeoun in 'The Secret Romantic Guesthouse' Excellence Award, Actress (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Shin Ye-eun in 'The Secret Romantic Guesthouse'

Supporting Cast: A Vital Backbone

Best Supporting Actor (Specialized Genre/Fantasy Drama): Bae Yoo-ram and Jang Hyuk-jin in 'Taxi Driver 2,' Kim Won-hae in 'Revenant' Best Supporting Actress (Specialized Genre/Fantasy Drama): Son Ji-yoon in 'The First Responders 2' Best Supporting Actor (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Jung Soon-won in 'Trolley' and 'My Demon' Best Supporting Actress (Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama): Seo Jung-yeon in 'My Demon' and 'Trolley'

Unforgettable Bonds: Best Couple and Scene Stealer

Best Couple Award: Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung in 'My Demon' Scene Stealer Award: Go Sang-ho in 'Dr. Romantic 3,' Byun Jung-hee in 'Dr. Romantic 3'

Welcoming New Talents: Best New Actors and Actresses

Best New Actor: Kim Do-hoon in 'The Escape of the Seven,' Kang Yoo-seok in 'Payback,' Lee Shin-young in 'Dr. Romantic 3,' Lee Hong-nae in 'Dr. Romantic 3' Best New Actress: Kwon Ah-reum in 'The Killing Vote,' Yang Hye-ji in 'Revenant,' Jung Soo-bin in 'Trolley'

Rising Stars: Best Young Actors and Actresses

Best Young Actor: Choi Hyun-jin in 'The Killing Vote,' Han Ji-an in 'Dr. Romantic 3' Best Young Actress: Park So-yi in 'Revenant,' Ahn Chae-heum in 'Taxi Driver 2'

Collective Brilliance: Best Supporting Team and Performance

Best Supporting Team: 'Dr. Romantic 3' Best Performance: Jin Seon-kyu in 'Revenant'

Netizens' Choice: Best SBS Drama of 2023

'Taxi Driver 2' claimed the hearts of netizens, earning the coveted title of Best SBS Drama of 2023. In a night filled with emotion, laughter, and celebration, the SBS Drama Awards 2023 paid tribute to the incredible talent and creativity that graced the small screen throughout the year. As the curtains closed on the Prism Tower, the memories of this spectacular event will undoubtedly linger in the hearts of both the industry and its avid viewers, setting the stage for another year of exceptional storytelling and unforgettable performances. Read the full article

#KimTaeRi #KimYoo-jung #korean #LeeJe-hoon #Revenant #SBSDramaAwards2023 #ShinDong-yup #TaxiDriver2

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korelist · 2 years ago

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YOUTH OF MAY // KDRAMA DİZİ YORUMU

UYARI : Yazılar genel olarak spoiler içerebilir. İçermeyedebilir.

İmdb puanı: 8,4 Benim Puanım: 5

Drama: Youth of May (English & literal title)

Hangul: 오월의 청춘

Director: Song Min-Yeop

Writer: Lee Kang

Date: 2021

Language: Korean

Country: South Korea

Cast: Lee Do-Hyun, Go Min-Si, Lee Sang-Yi, Keum Sae-Rok, Kim Won-Hae, Eom Hyo-Seop

2021 KBS Drama Awards - December 31, 2021

Best Actor (Lee Do-Hyun)

Excellent Actress (Go Min-Si)

Best Supporting Actress (Keum Sae-Rok)

Best Youth Actor (Jo Yi-Hyun)

Best Couple Award (Lee Do-Hyun & Go Min-Si)

Dizi 12 bölümden oluşan zırıl zırıl bir dramı konu alıyor. Herkesten özür dileyerek ve tüm içtenliğimle söyleyebilirim ki hiç bana hitap etmedi. Öyle ki, izlerken ruhum daraldı, ufunetler bastı. Bir türlü “evet bu” diyeceğim noktaya gelemedim. Bunaldım, üzüldüm, daraldım, sıkıldım. Aslında daha en başından mutsuz sonla biteceği belli olan birçok dizi izledim. Hiçbiri bu kadar gırtlağıma yapışmamıştı. Silah zoru ile izledim desem yeridir. Hiçbir yerde olumsuz eleştirisi olmayan ve puanı oldukça yüksek olan bu dizi için bu şekilde yorum yapmak zorunda kaldığım için üzgünüm.

Dizi 1980 yılının Mayıs ayında meydana gelen Gwangju Ayaklanmasını konu alıyor. Öncelikle bu diziyi izleyecekseniz çok kısa da olsa Gwangju Ayaklanması ile ilgili yazıları okursanız, izlemesi belki bir nevi daha kolay olur. Aslında birazcık bizim tarihimizde yaşanan 1980 öncesi Türkiye'si sağ-sol olaylarını anımsatıyor. Hwang Hee-Tae (Lee Do-Hyun), çok zeki bir Tıp öğrencisidir. Hemen hemen hiçbir konudan hoşlanmaz. Hayatını ‘Ön yargıya karşı bir savaşçı’ olarak tanımlar. Oyuncuyu ilk Hotel Del Luna’da izledim. Dizi içinde başka diziye spoiler vereceğim ama benim için kendisi Hotel Del Luna’nın ateş böceğidir. Hala gıyabında konuşurken ateş böceği diye bahsederim. Sonradan kendisini Sweet Home dizisinde de izlediğimden burada görmek benim için tanıdık bir yüz oldu. Karakterimiz bekar bir annenin çocuğu. Hayatı etrafındakilerin ön yargılarını kırmaya çalışmakla geçtiğinden misyonu da ön yargılar ile savaşmak. Bu savaş uğruna hep en çok çalışan, en başarılı olan kişi olmak zorunda kalmış. Ve neticesinde birincilik ile bitirebileceği Tıp okulunu hobisini bahane ederek uzatmıştır.

Lee Soo-Ryeon (Keum Sae-Rok ) ise zengin bir ailenin hukuk okuyan kızıdır. Ülkenin karışık olduğu bu dönemde üniversiteli öğrenciler komünist ilan edilmektedir. Soo-Ryeon ise darbeci yönetime karşı gelip protestolarda en önde yer alır. Ailesi onu bir an önce evlendirmek istese de asla evlenmek istemez. Karıştığı protestolardan biri artık bardağı taşırınca babası ona görüşmesi için birini ayarlar.

Kim Myung-Hee (Go Min-Si), Soo-Ryeon’un fakir arkadaşıdır. Üç yıldır hemşirelik yapan naif, sakin bir kızcağızdır. Eğitimi için paraya ihtiyacı vardır. Bu nedenle de izdivaç buluşmasına para karşılığında arkadaşının yerine gitmeyi kabul eder. Amaçları basittir, buluşma sırasında uygunsuz davranacak, ilişki başlamadan karşı tarafın olumsuz yorum yapmasını sağlayacaktır. Buluşacağı kişi ise Hee-Tae’dir. Hesaba katmadıkları şey ise Hee-Tae’nin daha önce onu görmüş ve görür görmez aşık olmuş olmasıdır.

Lee Soo-Chan (Lee Sang-Yi) ise Soo-Ryeon’un abisidir. Fransa’dan yeni dönmüştür ve uzun süredir Kim Myung-Hee’ye ilgi duymaktadır. Yani kendisi dizideki ilişkilerin kör düğüm olması için gereken son düğümdür. Oyuncuyu Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha da ikinci erkek rolünde izlerken baya keyif almıştım. Bu dizide de yine aynı rütbesini koruyarak kariyerine devam ediyordu.

Şimdi bu noktada, diziye ilk başladığımda bana hissettirdiği şey “Business Proposal” dizisinin o eğlenceli havası oldu. Biraz eğlenceli biraz gergin bir aşk izleyeceğimizi düşündüm. O kadar yanılmışım ki… Bütün bu hissiyatım 2.bölümde su balonu gibi patladı. Bir anda dizisinin havası sanat filmlerinin o ağır melodramatik rengine büründü.

Lee Do-Hyun ve Go Min-Si ; “Sweet Home” dizisinde abi kardeş rolünde olmalarına rağmen bu dizide umutsuz aşık rolünü sırıtmamışlardı. Gel gelelim dizi her bölüm o ağırlaştırılmış havasını arttırmaya devam ettiği için ben çöktükçe çöktüm. Olaylar derinleşti, savaş çirkinleşti. İnsanların mücadeleleri alevlendi. Masum insanların çaresizlikleri yuvarlana yuvarlana büyüdü. Bütün olayların ortasında yanlışlıkla bir araya gelmiş bir çift olarak kaldılar. Hakkını arayan masum insanların katledilmesi bende üzüntüden çok buhrana neden oldu. Dizide çekilen sahnelerin bir çoğu tarihte günümüze ulaşan fotoğraflardan sahnelenmiş. Belki kendi tarihimiz olmadığı için bilmiyorum, bizim olaylarımıza bu kadar benzemesine rağmen ben ağlayamadım.

Ve mutsuz son tabi ki… yani bunu spoiler olarak düşünemezsiniz bile, çünkü zaten ilk bölüm bittiğinde bu dizinin gidişatının hiç mutlu olmadığını herkes anlıyor. Günün sonunda özetlersek, diziyi kimseye önermem. Benim için kötü bir tecrübeydi.

The drama consists of 12 episodes filled with intense, heart-wrenching drama. I apologize to everyone, but I can honestly say it didn’t resonate with me at all. Watching it made me feel suffocated and overwhelmed. I never reached a point where I could say, “Yes, this is it.” Instead, I felt bored, sad, and confined. I’ve watched many dramas that were clearly heading for an unhappy ending, but none of them gripped me by the throat like this one did. It felt like I was forcing myself to watch it at gunpoint. I’m sorry to say this about a drama that has no negative reviews and a high rating, but I had to be honest.

The drama revolves around the Gwangju Uprising that took place in May 1980. If you plan to watch this, I recommend reading a bit about the Gwangju Uprising beforehand—it might make the experience slightly easier. It somewhat reminds me of the left-right conflicts in Turkey before 1980. Hwang Hee-Tae (Lee Do-Hyun) is a highly intelligent medical student who dislikes almost everything. He describes his life as “a warrior against prejudice.” I first saw the actor in Hotel Del Luna. I’ll give a spoiler here, but for me, he’s the firefly of Hotel Del Luna. I still refer to him as “the firefly” when talking about him. I later watched him in Sweet Home, so seeing him here felt familiar. His character is the child of a single mother, and his life has been spent breaking down the prejudices of those around him. His mission is to fight against these biases, which has led him to always strive to be the hardest-working and most successful person. As a result, he’s prolonged his medical studies, using his hobbies as an excuse, even though he could have graduated at the top of his class.

Lee Soo-Ryeon (Keum Sae-Rok) is the daughter of a wealthy family studying law. During this turbulent period in the country, university students are being labeled as communists. Soo-Ryeon stands at the forefront of protests against the coup regime. While her family wants her to marry quickly, she has no intention of doing so. After one of her protests pushes things too far, her father arranges a matchmaking meeting for her.

Kim Myung-Hee (Go Min-Si) is Soo-Ryeon’s poor friend. She’s a naive, quiet girl who has been working as a nurse for three years. She needs money for her education, so she agrees to go on a blind date in her friend’s place in exchange for payment. Their plan is simple: she’ll act inappropriately during the date to ensure the other party leaves a negative impression. The person she’s meeting is Hee-Tae. What they didn’t account for is that Hee-Tae has already seen her and fallen in love at first sight.

Lee Soo-Chan (Lee Sang-Yi) is Soo-Ryeon’s older brother. He’s just returned from France and has long been interested in Kim Myung-Hee. He’s the final knot needed to complicate the relationships in the drama. I enjoyed watching the actor in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha as the second male lead, and here he continues his career at the same level.

At this point, when I first started the drama, it gave me the vibe of Business Proposal—a mix of fun and tension. I thought I was in for a lighthearted yet intense love story. How wrong I was… That feeling burst like a bubble by the second episode. The tone suddenly shifted to the heavy, melodramatic atmosphere of an art film.

Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-Si, who played siblings in Sweet Home, managed to pull off their roles as hopeless lovers here without it feeling forced. However, as the drama continued to intensify with each episode, I felt more and more crushed. The events deepened, the conflict grew uglier, and the struggles of the people flared up. The helplessness of innocent people snowballed into something overwhelming. Amid all this chaos, the couple remained accidentally intertwined. The massacre of innocent people fighting for their rights didn’t just sadden me—it plunged me into despair. Many of the scenes in the drama were recreated from historical photographs that have survived to this day. Perhaps because it’s not part of my own history, even though it closely resembles events in my country, I couldn’t bring myself to cry.

And, of course, the unhappy ending… You can’t even consider this a spoiler because by the end of the first episode, it’s clear that this drama isn’t heading toward a happy conclusion. In summary, I wouldn’t recommend this drama to anyone. It was a bad experience for me.

Raven Melus

BAŞKA NELER VAR ?

FOTOĞRAFLAR

#Youth of May #kdrama #dizi #inceleme #yorum #eleştiri #Lee Do-Hyun #Go Min-Si #Lee Sang-Yi #Keum Sae-Rok #Kim Won-Hae #Eom Hyo-Seop

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veronica-nardi · 5 years ago

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Chief of staff Commento

Dopo aver passato diverso tempo a guardare serie piuttosto leggere e divertenti, è stato piuttosto difficile riprendere il ritmo con un drama così impegnativo come Chief of staff. I primi due episodi sono una carrellata di intrighi politici talmente frenetica da non darti quasi il tempo di respirare, e questo è stato davvero un problema.

Ogni episodio dura un'ora buona, e dopo aver passato tutto il tempo a seguire le vicende politiche dei personaggi in scena, quell'ora si fa sentire. A mano a mano che si prosegue con le puntate, la trama si fa sempre più avvincente e sono sempre stata curiosa di sapere cosa sarebbe successo, ma non sarei mai riuscita a guardare più puntate di seguito o a maratonarmi questa serie, perché semplicemente mi si sarebbe fuso il cervello.

Ma una volta introdotti i personaggi, le loro psicologie ed obiettivi, una volta capito di che cosa si sta parlando, una volta preso il ritmo, la serie scorre molto meglio ed è più facile seguirla.

Chief of staff non è una serie perfetta, tuttavia penso che sia una serie molto interessante, che racconta un mondo politico in modo terribilmente onesto, veritiero, crudo, che mi ha fatto intristire ed arrabbiare.

Durante la visione mi sono letteralmente segnata varie frasi pronunciate dai personaggi che mi hanno colpito molto perché in quelle parole ho sempre visto una triste verità. Giusto per citare due esempi:

"La nostra società è diventata immune e intollerante al dolore degli altri."

"Non si può cambiare niente senza il potere."

Inoltre la serie presenta anche alcune questioni molto interessanti e dilemmi morali che mi hanno portata a riflettere e a chiedermi come avrei agito io in quella situazione.

Per esempio, questo drama mi ha ricordato l'atmosfera politica di Designated Survivor, e come ho trovato difficile e incomodo il lavoro di presidente di una nazione, la stessa cosa ho pensato dei politici. Per quanto un uomo sia retto e onesto, penso che per raggiungere certi obiettivi sia spesso necessario scendere a compromessi con la propria moralità.

Ecco perché aggiungo la politica nella lista dei lavori che non potrei mai fare.

Passando ai personaggi, penso che tutti quelli principali siano caratterizzati bene e mi sono davvero piaciuti.

Il protagonista non è il classico eroe che combatte per la giustizia e per i più deboli. Jang Tae-joon vuole sì cambiare il mondo, ma giocando in un certo modo. Mi aspettavo una sua evoluzione che lo portasse definitivamente dalla parte buona, e sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa quando l'ho visto tornare ad abbracciare "l'oscurità". È stato per me un colpo di scena e stimo la sceneggiatura per questa scelta che trovo molto coraggiosa.

Bello anche il personaggio della lead, nemmeno lei una santa (in questa serie nessuno lo è). Devo dire che ho empatizzato molto per lei e le sue battaglie nel corso della serie. L'unica piccola pecca è che, come ha giustamente fatto notare @dilebe06, non è ben chiaro perché a un certo punto diventi fredda col protagonista per un paio di puntate.

Il deputato Lee è la prova definitiva che nessuno a questo mondo è immacolato e che siamo tutti un po' ipocriti. Lo avevo soprannominato Ned Stark per la sua inflessibile rettitudine, ed è stata davvero una sorpresa scoprire la "macchia" sulla sua coscienza. Ho empatizzato tantissimo per lui e l'ho trovato davvero molto umano, e alla fine dei giochi penso sia diventato il mio personaggio preferito di questa stagione.

Molto carina e interessante la bromance tra lui e Jang, un po' maestro e allievo, un po' amici con lo stesso sogno (anime gemelle?), un po' padre e figlio. Ho trovato interessante il dibattito tra "bianco e nero" e sui limiti che non bisogna superare che accompagnano il rapporto tra i due.

Voglio citare anche Han Do-kyeong, il "Bambi" della situazione, un giovane ragazzo fresco di laurea, idealista e sognatore, ingenuo ed inesperto. L'ho trovato un personaggio carino e ho trovato commovente il suo rapporto con la Nonna, tuttavia penso che la sua ingenuità sia stata un po' esagerata.

Per quanto riguarda i villain, ne abbiamo ben tre:

- il signor Jo, una banderuola sessista che cambia idea a seconda di come gli va comodo.

- il signor Oh, viscido, antipatico e leccaculo. E anche povero illuso oserei dire.

- il signor Song, ipocrita, falso, egoista, senza una morale. Devo però fargli i complimenti perché, nonostante Jang sia stato un protagonista estremamente intelligente e se il suo capo è dove è ora è grazie a lui, Song mi ha stupita perché ha saputo giocare bene anche lui, e quando in una serie sia la parte "buona" sia la parte "cattiva" vantano personaggi astuti a me piace tantissimo, perché in questo modo è uno scontro equilibrato. Inoltre ancora complimenti alla sceneggiatura per aver tratteggiato Song un personaggio coerente fino alla fine e per non essere caduti nel buonismo.

Di solito prediligo villain complessi e sfaccettati, che abbiano lati con cui io magari possa empatizzare, mentre questi tre cattivi sopracitati sono antipatici e basta, è davvero impossibile empatizzare per loro per una qualsiasi cosa, tuttavia la cosa non mi ha infastidita, perché questi uomini rappresentano tutti i difetti e le macchie negative della politica. @dilebe06

Sono molto curiosa di vedere come andranno le cose nella seconda stagione e come si metterà la relazione tra i due protagonisti, che a parte qualche momento in questa prima stagione sono riusciti a rimanere piuttosto uniti. Cosa che mi ha sorpresa, devo essere sincera.

È una serie che consiglio, ma bisogna stare davvero molto attenti durante la visione (cervello assolutamente acceso), perché le cose che accadono sono tante e spesso il ritmo usato è frenetico.

Punteggio: 7.9

#chief of staff #jang tae-joon #kang seon-yeong #oh won-sik #han do-kyeong #lee seong-min #lee jung-jae #shin min ah #kim dong-jun #song hee-seop #kim kap soo #k drama #korean drama #asian drama #political #political drama

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catch-me-hello · 2 months ago

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Make Mate 1, Episode 3: rehearsal staleMATEs

We’ve been promised rankings today, people! Let’s dive right in. The show picks up where we left off, with 36 numbered spaces on the stage and 36 nervous trainees. For now, it looks like we’re still stuck with Not-Xiumin as our host. Time to find out where these trainees will stand.

Number 36: Chen Shiau Fu. I have no idea who this guy is or what team he was on. He didn’t get any real screen time. In a confessional, he vows to do better in the next mission. You have nowhere to go but up, my guy.

Number 35: Kai. This is our banana milk-loving Japanese trainee from Team Fiction.

Number 34: Lee Jang Hee. I got nothing on this guy either. The voters must have also drawn a blank.

Number 33: Ki Hyung Joon. Our clunky trainee from Team Fiction who wants to be more famous than mustard greens. He’s not off to a great start.

Number 32: Kim Hak Sung. One of my picks from Team Very Good, and our defector from North Korea. He’s been overshadowed by his teammates and needs to make his presence known going forward.

Number 31: Kim Seung Ho. I got nothing. Number 30: Choi Min Joon. Nothing in my notes about him either.

Number 29: Jung Jae Young. Team Breathless. The 200-song dancing machine.

Number 28: Kim Sun Yub. Team Miss Right. He had friction with teammate Kim Se Gon and called him out on it.

Number 27: Aki. This guy made zero impression on me. He’s not anywhere in my notes.

Number 26: Han Yu Seop, another one of my picks. Our swaggering guitar player from Team Very Good. He’s made quite an impression, so I don’t know why he’s ranked so low, other than my proven track record of not predicting the final group very well. I’m still pulling for him.

Number 25: Kim Se Gon. Ah, yes. The Leader of Team Miss Right who stirred up drama by not showing up to rehearsals during a fight with his own team.

Number 24: Jung Hyun Wook. Who? Number 23: Takuma. No idea. Number 22: Jo Seung Hyun. Okay, sure.

three guys who probably won't win

Number 21: An Xin. That’s quite a drop from Number 6. He was also the top vote-getter on Team Miss Right.

Number 20: Lee Do Ha. Team Fiction’s top vote-getter. Apparently, that didn’t help him much in these rankings.

Number 19: Seo Ji Ho. Team Be Mine. Dreamy. Fans swoon for him.

Number 18: Yoon Ho Hyun. I have no idea who this is either. He’s the rare visual stunner who doesn’t stand out.

Number 17: Shin Won Chun. Team Growl. Judo champ, Triple Crown swimmer, boxer, horseback rider. None of those skills are helping him on this show.

Number 16: Midori. Team Hello Future and TikTok dancer with 35 million views. Dropped from Number 8.

Number 15: Jo Jae Hyun. No idea who this is.

Number 14: Miraku. One of my picks. Japanese contestant on Team Breathless. Huge ASTRO fan who danced to “One” in front of the original choreographers. Fell apart after his voice cracked. Dropped from Number 9.

Number 13: Jeon Joon Pyo. Team Growl. He’s the one who got a shoutout from Riize on social media after dancing to “Siren” at a festival.

Number 12: Jia Hao. Team Very Good. The dance Center of the show’s theme song. Dropped from Number 5.

Number 11: Kim Shi On. Just out of the Top 10. Team Breathless. Most flexible, despite physical limitations. Top vote-getter on his team. Dropped from Number 3.

Now for the Top 10. These guys get to stand on glittery pedestals.

Number 10: Noh Gi Hyun. Team Be Mine. Got the Mate Pick for Most Popular. I’m not impressed with his dancing. Girls love him. Top vote-getter on his team. Kept his Number 10 spot from the last ranking.

Number 9: Seo Yoon Deok. Top vote-getter on Team Very Good. Our scuba diver. Those pedestals look really high up. I think I’d get dizzy. There’s not even a safety rail. You’d think a certified rescue diver would notice this.

Number 8: Lin. Team Growl. Dropped from Number 1 in the previous rankings.

Number 7: Jang Hyun Joon. Team Be Mine, and main vocalist for the show’s theme song. Dropped from Number 4, but he’s still in the game.

Number 6: Yoon Jae Yong.Team Fiction, and that’s all I’ve got on the guy.

Number 5: Kim Seung Ho from Team U. Wait, this is the second Kim Seung Ho we’re seeing in these rankings. The other one is Number 31. Did the translator team mess this up?

Number 4: Choi Han Gyul. Fan favorite and top vote-getter of Team U. Ridiculously cute.

Number 3: Bing Fan, one of my picks. Top vote-getter from Team Hello Future. K-drama fan and visual stunner. Solid and respected Leader. Almost lost his voice before the performance because no one on this show is looking out for these kids. I hope he knows a good personal injury attorney.

Number 2: Jung Hyun Joon, Team Breathless. That’s all I have on this guy, and he’s the runner-up.

Number 1: Jo Min Jae. Top vote-getter on Team Growl. Six Singers descendant. Related to famous singer/songwriter Paul Kim. His family must be very proud. Up from Number 7 last time.

I didn’t realize how 36 contestants is still a LOT until I had to flip through my notes to find details on them. It also doesn’t help that, yet again, the translators keep changing the spelling or order of these names. Looking up the correct names or trying to find out why there are two trainees named Kim Seung Ho might reveal spoilers, so just bear with me.

N-X asks Jo Min Jae how it feels to be in the top spot. Our trainee is clearly in shock. He says, “Since you gave me such a great opportunity, I’ll work harder in the rest of the stages. Thank you so much.”

The other Top 10s give similar responses. They see their rankings as a challenge to keep getting better. The show has put faith in them, and they don’t want to let anyone down. I’m pretty sure if this were an American show, we’d be getting responses like, “Whoo-HOOOO! I’m NUMBER ONE, BITCHES!” and then they’d take out their guns and fire celebratory rounds into the ceiling. We are a very interesting country.

Okay! So the first stage is over. It looks like we’re not doing any eliminations today, so now we move on to a lovely day in May outside an office building. Our contestants are heading somewhere with luggage, and I’m getting Hot Blood flashbacks. Guys, if they try to put you on a ferry, RUN.

We may never see this young man again.

Looks like they’re getting on a big red bus with the MA1 logo on it. They’re excited to be going on an adventure. I’ve seen enough of these shows to know that something scary is waiting at the end of this journey. Soldiers, tents, snow, coffins, flags, Julien Kang … this is going to end in tears, isn’t it?

Suddenly, we flash back to the venue right after the rankings are announced, and the trainees are still standing on their numbers. An announcement is being made. The candidates are standing in mirror lineups across from each other. This has to do with MA1’s special rule called MATE RULE. They will be divided into their even and odd number rankings, Teams A and B.

The announcer now tells them the next stage will be a BOOT CAMP I KNEW IT! Guys, get off that bus NOW!

The alleged purpose of this boot camp is to help the groups bond. Right. Listen boys, there should be an emergency exit at the back of that bus. Wait for a red light and make a break for it.

Back to the bus. The boys are singing and waving at the cameras in the ceiling. We leave Seoul and make our way to a huge mudflat. There’s a resort that looks nice, but this is a weird place to put it.

Welcome to the beautiful Hurricane Aftermath Resort!

Inside, the rooms are clean and comfortable, which is good because the boot camp will be held indoors today due to the rain. First, each team has to elect a leader and come up with a group cheer. We see a few rounds of Rock Paper Scissors. Noh Gi Hyun is chosen to lead Team B, and Seo Yoon Deok leads Team A. Each team does their cheer, and I love that our guitarist Han Yu Seop is good at trash-talking.

Now for our first challenge. It’s a pull-up match. Great. Because that has so much to do with K-pop. After that, they do a long-jump challenge. I pretty much fast-forwarded through this.

Finally, back to what we’re here for. Everyone gathers around a stage, and a large video screen flickers to life. Our trainees are getting a special mission. It’s called the “Legendary K-pop Mega-Member Mission.” Both teams have 24 hours to prepare their performances.

Right away, our rookies start freaking out. But as a semi-veteran of these survival shows, I know 24 hours is incredibly generous. Our Wild Idol trainees had a mere one or two hours to put some of their performances together, often outdoors in the pouring rain. A full 24 hours is a luxury. In fact, as I listen to these trainees complaining, I feel like a K-pop senior citizen. “Why, back in MY day, we had TWELVE MINUTES to write original rap lyrics, in the pouring rain, uphill both ways, and you never heard ME complain…”

The instructional video continues. Group A will perform “We Are the Future” by H.O.T. Many of the trainees were born after this song came out in 1997 have have never heard of the group or the song. Apparently, H.O.T. is a First Generation idol group that was huge in the 90s. (Generations are classifcations of K-pop groups that I haven’t figured out yet. Monsta X is Third Generation. TAN is Fourth Generation. I don’t know how it works, but that’s on my list for another time.)

Now for Group B. They’ll be doing a song by Shinhwa called “Perfect Man.” This song is from 2002, so I’m assuming Group B would know that song the way I know classic Beatles songs. According to one of the trainees, BTS covered this song, so they definitely know it. We see a video of the choreography, and these are full-on beast idol dance moves, and Han Yu Seop is on this team. He is very excited about doing this song.

We cut to Han Yu Seop in a confessional, and he is PSYCHED for this. “If we all focus and perform it,” he says, “we’ll be able to move people.” That’s the spirit! I think he sees the opportunity to move up in the rankings.

The video isn’t finished. The winning group will earn special benefit points. Oh yay. Math.

Finally, our teams go to their separate practice rooms. Team Perfect Man elects Jia Hao as their Leader, and Team We Are the Future chooses Jeon Joon Pyo. Right away, we see the challenges of leading a group of 18 dancers. Especially when the Leaders are rookies. Both Leaders are getting frustrated, trying to keep everyone in sync as they rehearse through the night.

Finally, it’s showtime. Our stage has LED lights creating a waterfall effect on the back wall, so I’ll call this the Waterfall Stage. Someone is waiting as our trainees arrive. Could it really be … YES! FINALLY! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Xiumin from EXO!

He's here! He's really, finally here!

Our trainees are starstruck, and I’m right there with them. In confessionals, the guys talk about how he’s a role model for them. For me, his group changed my life when I went to YouTube looking for more K-pop after becoming a BTS fan and found the “MAMA” video. EXO is responsible for the K-pop essays and the entire Recap Project I eventually started. Respect must be paid.

Xiumin introduces himself as their MC MATE and says he’ll be joining them from now on. Thank goodness. I hope we’re officially done with N-X. Xiumin tells them the songs chosen for all the missions on this show are pulled from all Generations, covering the CD, MP3, and streaming audiences. The two songs for this mission are from the CD Generation. We’re getting schooled in the classics. Now to meet the judges. We already know Vata. He brings along another member of the WE DEM BOYZ crew, Yeongbin. We also meet two new special C MATES. Harimu is from a group called 1MILLION. Simeez is from La Chica. We hear Harimu’s loud, cheerful voice before we see her, and I immediately love her energy. These two are also a choreography duo as well as K-pop idols.

The judges go up to a second floor viewing area, giving them a good view of the performances. Team Perfect Man will go first. They are very nervous. And we’re getting a flashback to tell us why. Good grief with these timelines.

We’re in the big rehearsal room. Jia Hao is leading the team, and several trainees are having trouble keeping up. Some are moving a beat ahead of the others, and some a beat behind. American dance pop artists might overlook that, but in K-pop groups, precision synchronization is everything. Team Perfect Man has to be in perfect sync, or they will bomb.

With each practice, they actually seem to be getting worse. Several of them are clearly tired and frustrated. Finally, when Jia Hao is at the end of his rope, C MATES Vata and Yeongbin arrive to check on progress. The team performs the choreo for them, bumping into each other and losing track of the steps, and our professional dancers look more and more worried with each mistake.

When it finally ends, Vata looks like he needs a drink or twelve. He demands to know why the weak links in the group aren’t able to learn the steps. He’s really pissed, and I don’t blame him. He makes a good point about how the talented dancers who have clearly been rehearsing are overshadowed because the viewers’ eyes are drawn to the ones stumbling around, out of step with the rest. “The worst one in the crew determines the grade,” Vata says, “because he steals the show.” Very well said.

Chastened by this, our boys get back to work. The better dancers start working individually with the weak links. There’s a more determined spirit in the room. They dance with higher energy.

Will it pay off? Time to find out. Back to our Waterfall Stage. It’s showtime.

I’ve never seen a group this large doing a mission before. It’s hard enough for a group of five or six to keep switching positions. This is a group of 18, and their transitions are seamless. Our judges are over the moon, and Team We Are the Future are nervous.

The judges give special shout-outs to Team Leader Jia Hao, as well as Miraku (one of my picks). Jo Seung Hyun, the Assistant Leader, had great expression and looked like he wanted to destroy the stage. Noh Gi Hyun gets praise as well. His dancing, which originally didn’t impress me back in the auditions, has definitely improved. Chen Shiau Fu is praised for the energy he brought to the choreo. He killed the Killing Part.

Others don’t fare so well. Yoon Ho Hyun made a lot of mistakes. He was a beat slow the entire time. He’s a visual stunner, but he’s just not a good dancer. Lee Do Ha, who also did badly in practice, clearly still hadn’t learned the steps. These two are already ranked low, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to be eliminated.

Xiumin tells Team We Are the Future to get ready. They get into formation and do a group cheer, which is cute. This is one motivated group. The judges are impressed with their team spirit. But of course, these survival shows don’t let us stay happy for long, so it’s time for the Flashback Formula. Down the rabbit hole of misery and ominous foreshadowing we go.

Jang Hyun Joon, the Assistant Leader, is teaching everyone the steps. Leader Jeon Joon Pyo is off by himself, watching the choreo on a tablet and taking notes. We find out that earlier, he tasked Jang Hyun Joon with teaching the choreo while he focused on the big picture.

After taking notes for a while, he announces he’s come up with the formation. He sets everyone up in position and then tells Jang Hyun Joon to take over again while he runs back to his notes. I think I already know where this is going.

Practice does not go well. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen enough of these shows to know that formation and steps are interwoven. Choreography is one huge project with many moving parts, and it needs to flow and breathe like a living creature. This isn’t an assembly line. This is art. It also doesn’t help that this particular project has 18 dancers. Even our Dance Master judges would find this challenging.

Everyone is having trouble learning the steps in this new formation, and their Leader is off in his own little world. After a frustrating several hours, they go back to the dorm and start pillow-fighting. Jeon Joon Pyo is still off by himself, reviewing his notes. He stays up late into the night, studying the formation, while everyone else sleeps.

The next day, with 10 hours to go until showtime, they are all back in rehearsal. C MATES Vata and Yeongbin show up again. The group tells them they have practiced through the first verse. I didn’t realize they hadn’t gone further than that, and judging by Vata’s reaction, this is news to him as well.

Team We Are the Future shows them the choreo so far. It’s clunky and awkward. It looks like three different groups are dancing to different songs while crammed together in an elevator.

Yeongbin calls it a disaster and says he’s not sure if they can improve in time for the show. Dude, have you ever watched K-pop survival shows before? It’s all part of the Flashback Formula. These guys will magically improve over the next few hours. Just call it a day and go grab a beer.

Our boys huddle, and Jeon Joon Pyo has an epiphany. He says, “Working hard is good, but starting now, we need to focus on doing well.” Wait. All this time, you haven’t been trying to do well? What did you think – (exasperated sigh). Never mind. Go ahead. Give “doing well” a shot. It’s just crazy enough to work.

Or not. They keep practicing, but they’re not doing any weller. They’re started to get short-tempered and snap at each other. One of them bursts into tears. When we pull out of the flashback and return to the Waterfall Stage, all I can think is that this team must be exhausted. The music starts. Here goes nothing.

Not bad. Not perfect, but not bad. The judges have a much better opinion, saying it felt like watching a performance by Seventeen. Takuma, Bing Fan, and Jung Hyun Joon get singled out for praise. Bing Fan is told he’s invented a new dance style called “Handsome Dancing,” and I have many questions, but let’s just leave it. Based on the judges’ reactions, I think Team We Are the Future is going to win this.

Xiumin announces the end of the mission and compliments both teams. The judges discuss and debate while our trainees sweat it out.

The winner is … Team Perfect Man. I’m very confused, because that team had several weak links that got called out for not doing well, and Team We Are the Future was so good they apparently invented a new style of dancing that just involves being handsome while dancing, which I’m sure will revolutionize the K-pop industry. (Wait until the industry hears about singing in Korean. Their heads will explode.)

Still, three of my picks are on Team Perfect man, and they all needed the win. The whole team wins benefit points. All seventeen of them.

Wait. Seventeen? There are two groups of eighteen. Did someone leave? The show doesn’t tell us. Instead, the judges tell them the challenges are just going to get a lot harder going forward. I imagine they will, especially if more of their teammates just vanish like this. Unless this is how eliminations are done on this show.

Now that I think about it, that would be AWESOME. Just have the eliminated trainees disappear as we move along, and nobody mention it. Just end the show when you have enough people left for the final group. The show would be called Into Thin Air, and the resulting band would be called TRAUMA. Look out for their first single, “Please Call Our Moms We Want to Go Home,” off their debut EP Seriously, Where Did Our Teammates Go?

See you next episode.

#kpop #recaps #survival reality shows #Make Mate 1 #NouerA #Xiumin

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