#sungjung

[boysplanetrecaps]

Build Up, Episode 5: First Eliminations

Welcome back to the recap series that’s never early: BPR Recaps MNET’s Build Up! In the previous one, we covered the four performances that MNET chose not to cover. In this one, we’ll cover the elimination that took place in the middle of episode 5 and give some love to the ten eliminated contestants. Let's do it!

Here we see all our candidates for elimination. 

Top row: Donghyun, Sunyoul; Neon, Seunghwan from CIX; Bitsaeon from M.O.N.T., Jay; Seokhwa from WEi, Woong from AB6IX; Kim Sungjung the musical actor and Lee Gwangseok the freelance model.

Bottom row: Hong Sungjeong, Kim Seohyung; Taehwan from Vanner and Hong Sungwon; Trainee Park Joohee and Kwon Euibin; KNK’s Jeong Inseong and FAVE1’s Hyukjin; and Hwanhee from Up10tion and soldier Jo Hwanji.

The other 20 are safe. 

Of those twenty, if I could keep 10, I’d keep:

Jay

Bitsaeon from M.O.N.T.

Woong from AB6IX

Taehwan from Vanner

Neon

Hong Sungwon

Kwon Euibin

Jeong Inseong from KNK

Lee Hwanhee from Up10tion

Kim Seohyung

I don’t like having to choose though, and my heart would want to keep all of them. But those are the ten I’d pick if push came to shove. I’d especially feel sad about losing Donghun, Sunyoul, Seokhwa, and Hyukjin, because I’m worried about Donghun’s mental health, because Sunyoul and Seokhwa are super lovable dudes, and because Hyukjin’s path as an idol is extremely heartbreaking. But I just chose based on whose singing I want to hear again the most. 

So, this whole time, I’ve been wondering, how will the surviving 10 be chosen from those 20? I assumed that the fan voting would matter in some way, but nope, apparently, it’s the judges. Yeesh. Why is voting happening again, then? 

VCG, who is apparently the head judge, says that they’ve taken the situation seriously and discussed it carefully amongst themselves before they made a decision. Well, I should hope so.

The first survivor is someone who the judges say has an unfairly good voice, a different vibe, and a nice physique. That’s obviously Jay.

Everyone is just like, well, yeah, obviously. It would be pretty unfair if Jay was sent home after that performance, especially when his team outscored every other team except for the team they went up against.

Jay interviews, “I showed that I can sing pop music well, but next time I want to show them proper Korean style singing.” I mean, if you must.

Correctly, the judges also save Neon and Bitsaeon, both of whom did really well. And I’m not that mad that they also save Seunghun from CIX, especially since the fan vote for him is strong. But I'd have saved someone else when there are limited spots.

Bitsaeon interviews, “It wasn’t just Jay – I thought I also showed something in that performance.” You did, Bit, don't worry. Jay interviews that Bitsaeon also being chosen to survive lifted a weight off his shoulders. 

The next person they’re going to save is someone who made a mistake, but Solar says that the judges wanted to hear his voice again anyway. They tease us that it might be Seokhwa...

... but of course it isn't. Who else could it be but wild horse Lee Gwangseok? I just knew the judges would save him. They also save Park Joohee, despite his crying moment. 

Musical actor and Best Sweater winner Hong Sungwon interviews that as the names are being called (and his isn’t,) he feels like he’s being shot. “One person, bang. Second person, bang.”

The next two people the judges are saving are (1) someone with a unique voice and (2) someone else with a pretty low-pitched voice: Sunyoul and Kim Seohyung. I can’t be mad at them saving Sunyoul, as he also has a great voice and I find him particularly lovable. And I had Seohyung on my list too, so again, decent choice. 

Neither of them can believe it.

Sunyoul interviews that it’s hard to be happy since Donghun’s name hasn’t been called. (No loyalty to Hwanhee? I don't notice the two of them interacting much.)  But then the ninth name is called, and it’s Donghun! Again, I’m not mad at it – Donghun also has a great voice.

As for the tenth survivor, they say it’s someone who hasn’t shown his talent yet, so they’ve decided to give him another chance. We see the judges discussing it, and Solar says, “Regardless of the skill level, there are people who attract the audience.” Oh, so we’re picking an idol, I guess? VCG wonders what would happen if this person teamed up with a different guy? (Throughout, the translation says “friend” because they’re saying “chingoo”, but a better translation would be “guy” instead of "friend".)

And I mean, it’s obviously Woong. For one thing, the previews have shown him in the next portion of the show, and for another, the description fits really well – a popular idol who has more talent than what he’s shown and should be teamed up with different people. And sure enough, they call Woong. 

I'm glad, because I actually really like Woong's singing voice a lot and agree with the judges that he hasn't really shown it yet. He bows to everyone and vows to do his best.

So, here are the ten survivors.

So, the ten eliminated guys are still great vocalists and took the time to be on your show and do their best, so obviously the least MNET could do is give them a chance to give a brief goodbye speech.

Oh, wait, sorry, I'm getting word that... no. No, MNET is not doing that. No, instead they've decided to... what's that? oh yes, I understand now. They're just going to NEVER SHOW THE OTHER TEN GUYS EVER AGAIN.

So we lost Seokhwa, our leaping lizard Kim Seongjeong, Hong Seongjun from BDC, smiley Taehwan from Vanner, Hong Sungwon of the ombre blue sweater, Kwon Euibin, Jeong Inseong from KNK, Hyukjin from Fave1, Lee Hwanhee from Up10tion, and Jo Hwanji the soldier.

Ok, let’s talk some math for a bit. A few “ifs” to explore…

If...

they had just chosen the top fifteen teams based on scores, rather than having this rivalry thing, then the ten eliminated candidates would have been (and I’ll put the ones who didn’t really get eliminated in bold):

Lim Junhyeok and Yeo One

Taehwan from Vanner and Sungwon of the blue sweater

Hyukjin and Inseong

Hwanhee and Hwanji

Seokhwa and Woong 

This would have meant keeping the following guys who we didn’t actually get to keep:

Kim Seongjung, the leaping lizard

Hong Seongjun from BDC

Kwon Euibin

I would have been sad to lose Woong, but it would have been worth it to keep Kwon Euibin, and I think both Kim Seongjung and Hong Seongjun are stronger singers than either Lim Junhyeok or Yeo One. 

If...

they had decided the rounds based on average score, throwing out one high score and one low score, then Taehwan and Sungwon would have won their round. (All other results would have been the same.) 

If....

Team Hwan-hee-ji had challenged Seokhwa and Woong, and the maknae had gone up against Sanghyun and Taewoo, then team Hwanheeji would have won and the maknae would have lost. 

Ok, that's enough "ifs" for now.

It’s a bummer that any of them have to go home. It’s especially galling that Inseong, Hyukjin, Hwanhee, and Jo Hwanji not only get sent home like this, but also didn’t get to have their performance really shown. I hope that the experience of being on the show was ok for all of them, and that every one of them finds a nice soft place to land. And let’s all try to support them in whatever they do next, ok?

I’m really going to miss Taehwan’s smile, but luckily I can watch Vanner MVs any time I want. Here is Vanner performing Adore U (my favorite song by Seventeen) live in Busan. Their mics are ON. 

If you’d like to give Hyukjin a stream, his group’s latest single has only 4,733 views at time of writing. The video was shot on (I assume) an Iphone 5, at a warehouse near a train station (I assume). Let’s all give him a stream or two, ok? If everyone who reads my recaps watches their video, we could get that total up to maybe 4,740 or something. That’d be awesome! And here's Hyukjin's Instagram.

If you want to check out KNK to support Inseong, here's the song of theirs I remember hearing a few times in the past -- Sunset. It's full on house music, if you like that kind of thing. I do.

If you want to check out BDC to support Hong Seongjun -- I mean, the group is basically disbanded (I think they might still perform in Japan?) but he might get residuals -- my favorite song of theirs is Moon Rider.

If you want to check out WEi to support Seokhwa, my favorite song of theirs is Spray.

If you want to check out Up10tion, I will again say that I really like their song Spin Off. And here is Hwanhee's instagram -- at least, I think it's his. It has a blue check.

Here's a performance of Kwon Euibin on a previous show. He talks 10x more on this show than he does on Build Up. Turns out he used to be a baseball player, but he kept getting injured and got interested in music while he was rehabbing.  Then he sings Tomboy by Hyukoh, the same song that was done in the Pre-4 mission round of Build Up. He sounds great! And here's his Instagram, teasing an upcoming single.

Here's a performance of Jo Hwanji singing a year ago or so. He's wearing a military outfit here too, and singing to a group of soldiers. His MyDrama List page has this photo of him with longer hair, which blows my mind for some reason.

I found what I think is his Spotify page if you want to check it out.

Kim Sungjung and Hong Sungwon are both musical actors, meaning that they perform in live theater in Korea, and I couldn't find any social media or anything for them. If you find some, let me know!

So, that's it for now. In the next one, I'm going to award some BRAPPIES! Something to look forward to. See you soon!

[park-chan-yall]

Kpop Moodboards-Requested by Anonymous

Sungjong isn’t exactly a people person. He doesn’t make friends easily and that just fine with him. So when Dongwoo walks up to him and tries to make nice, Sungjong isn’t exactly interested. He’s especially not interested when Dongwoo says he’s his guardian angel. Sure. And then this guy turns out to be his roommate? Dongwoo follows him around like a lost puppy, bringing him snacks and doing his laundry. Sungjong isn’t falling for it.

[jaybnim]

[tnxarchives]

[IG 30.07] TikTok Update - Sungjun

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 라우드 (@sbs_loud.official)

Trans: “Sungjun’s footwork🦶  I'm Sungjun Walk 🔥” cr: tnxarchives team

[inspirit-aunny]

Myungjong selfie shot 📷📸💕

[pcrkjmin]

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚  @leosvn​​

[ @yoancia 🦄💫]: yoa...  [ @yoancia 🦄💫]: creo que tía sungjung está llorando en la sala 😐 [ @yoancia 🦄💫]: should we do something? 

[7-dreamers]

[200315] hf_dreamcatcher Twitter Update (4/4)

[#Yoohyeon] I sang a response version of Heo Sungjung's new track! I've never shown you a ballad I sang alone ... it feels different!  ☺

Trans: 7-Dreamers | Please do not take without credit

[he-is-mine-i-am-his-blog]

Wild geese 6/18

Fandom: Painter of the Night

Pairing: Baek Nakyum/Yoon Seungho

Ratings: M

Word count: ~2100 words

Story summary: When Nakyum enters an arranged marriage with Lord Seungho, he does expect to find himself in a situation where he does, fighting for his life. ***An arranged marriage AU, set in the Joseon period like the canon.

Warnings: This story contains graphic depictions of violence. These scenes are not terribly gory, excessive, pointless, and violence is not glorified in anyway. I will not give warnings with specific chapters as not to spoil the plot.

Read below or on AO3.

***

The recent loss and the following revelations have left Nakyum feeling more unsettled, more alone than he did before. Sharing his suspicions with Seungho’s personal servant did little to diminish this sense of complete isolation. He is still alone, even if the older man did not dismiss his concerns.

Nakyum had implored Mr Kim to keep his silence on the matter, to share it with no other. He doesn’t know if the man truly believed him, but he didn’t want his suspicions to be known. Mr Kim had agreed, hesitantly, and it seems he has respected Nakyum’s wishes in the days passed.

He has not spoken of what was shared with others. He has not brought it up again to Nakyum either.

The older man’s eyes follow Nakyum though, with more care than they did before. Though, it is not only him who has taken a sudden interest in Nakyum.

Nakyum has caught Seungho looking towards him on many occasions. The man has been more present at meals, even joining him for breakfast and lunch. Although they do not talk much, too often Nakyum lifts his gaze to find his husband already staring.

Seungho’s eyes may be relentless on him but are unreadable as always.

This unforeseen attention from his husband is – confusing to Nakyum. He doesn’t know how to interpret it. He knows though that it doesn’t mean that they are any closer, that Seungho wants him to be married to him any more than he did before. Nakyum reminds himself of the very fact.

Nearly a week after the hunt, Nakyum arrives at the common room for dinner to find Seungho already there, alone. He lowers his eyes and quietly walks up to the table. He cannot meet his husband’s stare, although he must be watching.

“Father will not be joining us this evening as he has other engagements.”

Nakyum nods, as he does know how to respond otherwise.

They begin their meal.

Nakyum picks up his chopsticks with his uninjured hand, the other carefully laid on his lap. He adds food to his bowl from the bountiful table, but he doesn’t have much of an appetite. He hasn’t since the hunt. He eats slowly, picking at the small pieces, his eyes carefully cast down.

They eat in perfect silence. There are no sounds beyond the gentle clink of chopsticks against the ceramic bowls.

In this quietude, Nakyum’s mind drifts elsewhere.

He thinks of home, of the small house he grew up in under the tender care of Donghyun and Sungjung. He thinks of times when he would be with his father at his shop, when he would help his mother with the chores around the house. He thinks of them with so much longing that it constricts his throat, his entire chest.

He wishes to be back there with them, to hide from everything, to forget everything that has happened to him since he arrived at this residence.

His face must’ve betrayed his thoughts, as it becomes clear when Seungho speaks up.

“Why are you so upset, husband?”

The words are sharp, but his tone is – peculiar. It sounds like a mix of curiosity and frustration.

Nakyum is still stunned by the words, too much to respond. The look on his husband’s face darkens as his question goes unanswered.

“Do I not make you happy?” he asks, demanding, “Have we not provided sufficiently for you?”

And then, something lights up inside of Nakyum, burning hot and bright.

He narrows his eyes, staring at Seungho. He can’t hold himself back anymore.

“Upset?” Nakyum repeats his voice far too loud in the quiet room, “You think I’m not happy?”

Seungho’s face twists in discernible surprise, clearly not having expected this reaction from him. He rises to the challenge that Nakyum’s response proposed though.

“And what should I think when you make such faces and tell me nothing?”

“I’m lonely,” Nakyum responds without thinking, anguish evident in his voice.

He is not just lonely. He is afraid too, but at least he manages to keep that to himself. He is grieving.

“I left my home to come here,” he adds, “I don’t know anyone here, and I don’t have anyone at all here. I am so horribly completely alone, especially now after my-“

Nakyum stops abruptly. He bites his lip to silence himself. And yet, he sees in the eye of his mind what his words didn’t say. An image of his mare lying bloody on the muddy banks of the ditch.

When he looks to his husband again, he doesn’t flash of dawning in Seungho’s eyes, a realization of what Nakyum had left unsaid. It hurts him. It makes him angrier yet that he can’t be private with his feelings inside. It hurts him more than the words.

He thinks back to Seungho’s words then.

Have we not provided sufficiently for you?

Before he can stop himself, Nakyum slips his hand under the layers of his robe at his chest, blindly grasping at the necklace that he still wears, that he has worn every day since he received it. With a quick, sharp yank, the thin chain breaks off easily. He slams his hand against the table, the cups rattled against the hard surface with the force of the impact.

A sharp stab of pain lances through his wrist that steals the air from his lungs. Tears well into his eyes, unbidden.

The necklace lays on the table, trapped beneath his palm.

“I don’t care for anything you may give me. I want none of it!”

He looks at Seungho, as he says, “I will not break the promises I made you, but I will not beg of you either. So, hear me now when I ask: If you cannot hide your displeasure of me, please can’t we just avoid each other.”

Nakyum storms off before Seungho could even think to reply.

  ***

  Nakyum is nearly at the steps leading up to the house when he hears the steps running to catch up to him. He doesn’t stop until someone calls after him.

He doesn’t turn even then. He stands there in the quiet inner courtyard of the residence.

It’s dark and cold. His outer jacket is haphazardly put on, from when he had rushed out. He doesn’t feel the chill of the wintry evening though.

He simmers in anger, although it has largely lost its heat in the wake of him storming out. It is still there, in the quickened beat of his heart, in the jumbled thoughts of his mind, in the throbbing ache of his wrist.

“Nakyum,” Seungho says again, as he comes to a halt at a distance, “I’m –“

His voice is unusually quiet, soft now that he speaks his name. He seems – uncertain, and not only in the way that he left words unsaid. His voice wavered.

When Nakyum turns to him, Seungho is already staring at him. His face is shrouded, sheltered by the shadows, but not enough to fully hide him or the expression on his face.

There is intensity in the way that he looks at Nakyum, his eyes sharp and steady. They carry none of his previous anger, of frustration or displeasure either. His face betrays little else.

He still remains as indecipherable with his thoughts and feelings as ever.

“I didn’t –,“ Seungho stops, and he hesitates for a long moment, until he tries again, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Nakyum wants to argue, if only on instinct. He doesn’t though. He stops too.

He looks at Seungho then, really looks at him.

Perhaps the man is not as much of an enigma as Nakyum thought. Perhaps he never truly looked at his husband, long and hard enough.

Seungho is staring at Nakyum, but he doesn’t carry his usual look of cool hardness. His face is serious. There is sincerity there too. More than that, there is that vulnerability that Nakyum thought he only imagined hearing in his voice.

And then, perhaps because of the dim lighting of the courtyard, Nakyum’s eyes play tricks on him.

For a moment, he doesn’t see the brash, cruel man that he has only ever known Seungho to be, but instead, he sees a young boy who lashes out in anger for being betrayed, in fear of being hurt.

The vision disappears into nothingness as easy as it emerged.

He sees it more clearly now though. He sees how all this could've been difficult for Seungho too.

Nakyum only considered his own experience, of how he left all that is familiar behind and came to live here in a house filled with strangers. And yet, he did it with his free will, with his own choice, because his father asked him when the offer came.

He had not thought of Seungho who didn't have a choice – because his father didn't grant him one. Although Seungho had never expressed it in words, he is certain of it. He has heard whisperings of it.

When Seungho shifts on his feet, Nakyum lifts his gaze to meet Seungho's from where it had fallen. He nods quietly. He looks at his husband for a little longer, in this moment of silent understanding that they have found, before he turns and walks into the house.

In his room, Nakyum removes his outer clothes, although his jacket is already open and his boots unlaced from his hasty departure. After putting them away, he goes to light the rest of the candles on the dresser. He does not like the dark.

He thinks of the exchange with his husband. He thinks of Seungho – he truly thinks of him for the first time.

He tries to see him for who he is, not who he hoped him to be before they met or who he believed him to be after.

Nakyum tries to see him as the man that he is, not just as his words and actions, but as his intentions and meanings. In thinking of him in this manner, Nakyum is forced to admit he doesn't know him at all.

Would it make a difference if he did, he wonders.

He isn't left long with his thoughts until there is a knock on his door. He hesitates for a moment before answering. When he calls for the person to enter, he is relieved to find it is not Seungho but his servant instead. He isn’t sure he could continue the discussion with his husband when his mind is a mess as it is now.

"I came to see if you needed anything before going to sleep."

Nakyum lowers his eyes, as he declines the kind offer. It should not be Mr Kim serving him, even if, in his reluctance, Deokjae often fails to do so. Nakyum can manage on his own anyway.

The older man stands by the door for a moment, silently observing him, until he walks over to the cabinet in the corner of the room. He takes out clothing for Nakyum for the next day and moves to place them on the dresser. His back is still turned towards Nakyum, when he speaks.

“Younger Master Yoon is not as bad as you may think he is,” he says quietly.

Nakyum doesn’t respond, but he isn’t expected to do so, it seems. The servant smooths the fabric of his clothes, as he lays the folded bundle on the dresser. When he is done, he goes to the door. His hand rests on the handle for a moment. He looks over his shoulder at Nakyum.

“You should tell him your suspicions,” he says, “He would listen.”

The older man leaves, and Nakyum is alone with his thoughts again.

Nakyum is staring after him, at the closed door, and considering his words.

Even if Seungho is not as bad as he thinks, he wouldn’t need to be very good either, because what he thinks is that no one wants Nakyum gone as much as Seungho does.

It is then that the image comes to his mind, unbidden, the look on Seungho’s face, in his eyes from when they had stood face-to-face in the courtyard.

Nakyum isn’t sure if it is true anymore if Seungho really wants him gone as much as he assumed. He isn’t sure if he ever did.

It doesn’t matter much either way, as he can’t trust him.

He can’t trust anyone at all.

[boysplanetrecaps]

Build Up Ep 6 Recap Part 1: Bad News

Welcome back to the only recap series about MNET’s Build Up that is being written by me! In the previous post, we finished episode 5 (almost) and covered the first performance of round one of the 3x3 death match, Pray (I’ll Be Your Man). In this one, we’ll cover the ranking from the end of episode 5 and then dive in to the second performance, Bad News. There will also definitely be some actual bad news, no matter which team you prefer. Let’s face the music. 

First things first I’m the realest: Let’s cover the ranking from the end of episode 5, which I forgot to mention in the previous recap. I am not clear what these rankings are for, as a lot of the people on the list have already been eliminated, but here we are. Those who have been eliminated already have a strike through in their name. I also will note how much they rose/fell since the previous ranking. Here we go:

Jay ⊖ 

Donghun ⊖

Wumuti ⊖

Seokhwa  ▲1

Seunghun ⛛ 1

Park Jeup ▲2

Bitsaeon ▲3

Yeo One  ⛛ 1

Hwanhee ⛛ 3

Jeon Woong  ⛛ 1

Taehwan ⊖

Jeong Inseong ▲1

Geonu ▲1

Sunyoul ⊖

Kang Hayoon ⊖

Neon ⊖

Bain  ▲2

Hong Seongjun  ⛛ 1

Lee Gwangseok ⛛ 1

Jung Soomin ⊖

Kim Minseo  ▲3

Yoon Inhwan ▲1

Park Joohee  ⛛ 1

Hyukjin  ⛛ 3

Kim Seohyung ▲1

Hong Sungwon ⛛ 1

Choi Suhwan  ⊖

Lim Sang Hyun ⊖

Taewoo ▲10

Ma Jaekyung ▲2

Kim Sungjung ⊖

Hwang Inhyuk ⛛ 2

Kwon Euibin ⊖

Choi Haram ▲2

Jo Hwanji ⊖

Jeong Yunseo ▲2

Lee Minwook ⛛ 8

Lim Jun Hyeok ⛛ 1

Ji Yeonwoo  ▲1

Jang Intae ⛛ 6

Ok, let’s get to episode 6! 

Once we get the recappy stuff out of the way, we get back to the second team to perform, the team consisting of Bain, Bitsaeon, and Kim Minseo. In the previous round, Bain and Minseo sang River and came in second place; new recruit Bitsaeon had been partnered with Jay for their excellent (but losing) performance of Dangerously. 

The team is really nervous because the stakes are high and the previous team, Jeup’s team, did really well with Pray (I’ll Be Your Man). 

Dahee asks Team Bitbain if they’re nervous. The English captions punk out a bit, but it’s the same clip that we saw at the end of episode 5. Basically Bitsaeon just says that the other team did well, but they themselves practiced hard too and believe in themselves. 

VCG encourages them, saying “You were my top three in the last round.” That doesn’t quite make sense, since they weren’t a team of three in the last round, but I get what he means. They’re good! They’re really good. We’re reminded of how well Bitsaeon did with Dangerously and how well the other two did with River. 

Then we’re also reminded of the Rival Choosing ceremony, when Jay’s team went to the Moodboard of Doom and set it so that Team Bitbain would have to face the team they most wanted to avoid -- Jeup’s team. Guys, I don’t feel well. Why did these two teams have to get matched up? Sigh. 

Bitsaeon says he’s been thinking about song selection.

When he thinks about Jeup’s team and their harmonies, it makes him feel dizzy. He kind of wants to avoid going straight up against Jeup’s team by also doing insane high pitched harmonies. Instead, he wants to come up with a song that will be unexpected. Bain and Minseo feel like Bitsaeon knows what he’s doing and are happy to let him strategize. 

On a day that we’re told is the next day but clearly isn’t based on how much everyone’s hair has grown…

Check out Bitsaeon's s w e a t e r !

Bitsaeon says he wants something kind of like River or Dangerously, but “upgraded” -- something new. Bain seems to be the one who suggests Kiss of Life’s song Bad News. I knew I liked Bain. You guys, I’m a Bain fan for life. 

You guys, I don’t even talk about how much I love, love, love, LOVE Kiss of Life because I feel like they’re invisible somehow. I just don’t see people talking about them. But omg, I love them. They’re so talented, and they’re all adults. They’re like a supergroup but they’re rookies. I love them so much. Let me just tell you about them for a moment.

Natty was the ultra talented li’l baby on Sixteen, the show that created Twice. She’s Thai and is a fantastic and charismatic dancer, and also a singer of unusual range

Belle is an S+ tier singer with whistle tone ability. She’s like Ariana Grande or something, but she also writes songs, and in fact co-wrote Unforgiven by Le Sserafim.

Julie is from Hawaii and has a velvety vocal color and the best smile and the most swag and can also pirouette on one foot like what what are you

Haneul is the only fully Korean member and is a cute maknae who attracts a lot of stans, and is also a very good vocalist

They do a thing where their videos are like mini movies with intersecting storylines. So, if you want to watch the video for Bad News, be sure to watch the video for Nobody Knows right after it to get the rest of the story. Also, then you should watch a live performance of Nobody Knows because their live singing is unbelievable and also the choreography is EVERYTHING. 

I’ve been thinking about how a team should have done Nobody Knows as their song for the second round, because it’s so sexy and interesting, but then I thought, yeah, but Kiss of Life are rookies -- would anyone even know these songs? And they do! And my favorite team is going to do one! I’m so happy!! Even if they lose, this is going to be a great performance.

Ok anyway back to it. The on screen captions describe Bad News as a mix of rock and hip-hop, which is fair, and Bitsaeon says that it’s different from anything they’ve done so far, which is also true. They’re having a little trouble deciding how to handle Belle’s really cute squeak on the word “moves” in the chorus. Bain is a little stressed out about it but it sounds good. He says he’s going to practice it to death. 

Oh no, Bain, please don’t overpractice and destroy your voice. 

The performance begins.

Here’s an in-studio audio version for you to add to your Youtube playlist. Omg, I love it. I love it so much. The arrangement works so well. I actually like the song slightly better in this key, and they made it more Western-y and less hip-hoppy and I love it, which surprises me because I don’t listen to country music or anything. But this WORKS. Ok, let’s see the live version. Please, oh please, may Bain’s voice hold out. 

Full version without reactions 

Sorry, I just thought this freeze frame was so funny

My thoughts:

Well, this was obviously fantastic. Amazing, great, loved it, perfect, wouldn’t change a thing about the performance itself. I have to assume, without seeing any of the others, that this performance would have/could have/should have beaten almost any other performance.

And just as obviously, it will lose this round.

They spent too much time rapping and not enough time showcasing their fantastic vocals, and the song is just not emotional enough to overcome the juggernaut of Jeup’s team.

I mean, maybe I’m wrong and they win but I feel pretty sure that they lost. I’m just glad they went down swinging and hopefully they won some new fans.

Minseo was possibly the weakest of the three, and he was still fantastic. I think some of the notes were slightly too deep for him, and others were a tiny bit too high, and it made him occasionally a bit pitchy. But I still love, love, love his vocal color, his absence of nasality, and his swagger and confidence on stage. Minseo, fighting! I hope you debut soon! 

I also love Bitsaeon’s voice. He shines so much better with this team than he did with Jay’s. Like, ok, maybe he didn’t wear a fuzzy sweater this time, but he sounded like a real rapper when he rapped and his power notes were powerful. No nasality, no pitchiness, just all good technique and plenty of stage presence. Bitsaeon, fighting! I’ll keep up with M.O.N.T. to keep up with you!

Bain has my favorite voice of the three. Ok, is he Park Jeup? No. He doesn’t have Jeup’s insane range. But Bain’s natural vocal color is nicer than Jeup’s (to me) and he can still hit fairly high notes without straining or using falsetto. I can feel the proper technique just oozing out of him. He’s so good. Also, he raps just as well as he sings. He hits every consonant and vowel and brings interest and *blam* to it as he goes.

I don’t know, fam -- for me he’s got that RM / Joohoney energy that I love so much in an idol. Like, ok, maybe he doesn’t meet Kpop beauty standards but he doesn’t have to because he has an “it” factor on stage. Like his “to the left to right back and forth…” part in the bridge, I mean, it was kind of sexy, wasn’t it?  Also, I’m predicting now that his “on & on & on” toward the beginning will get an instant replay and reaction. Let’s see if I’m right. 

So many awkward screenshots 

In the MNET edit, we hear a judge call out “Oh, cowboy!” in English at the start. And overall, everyone seems to be having a great time watching. The other contestants look amazed and the judges are bopping. And yes, of course, Bain’s  “on & on & on” did get an instant reply. 

VCG cheers for Bain’s high pitched squeals.

Jaehwan jumps to his feet. 

I feel like this is the most we’ve seen Wendy enjoy a performance on the show.

Backstage, balladeer Yoon Inhwan turns to Donghun and says, “It’s as if he’s possessed!” (I think he’s talking about Bain.)

Dahee is also having a great time. 

When they’re done, everyone cheers. 

Sorichir-ra! (MAKE SOME NOISE!!)

Geonu points like, “that’s my teammate!” 

Everyone loved it. Someone -- I think Wendy? -- says “I was completely slain by Bain.” Yes, Bain was undoubtedly the MVP here. VCG and Jaehwan, still talking about Bain, say “He’s at his peak. He totally knows what’s going on. He totally knows what he’s good at.” Wendy agrees, saying, “IT all comes out on stage.”

It’s time for the judges to evaluate, and they don’t really want to, you can tell. They’re like, “how do you judge something like this?” It’s like choosing between a pair of shoes and a bowl of ice cream. Like, what do you want to do with it? What do you need right now? 

Baekho says, “I have nothing to say. It was just so good. I forgot that it was a survival program -- it felt like I was just watching a concert.”

Dahee is grinning, looking over at the guys to see how this praise is affected them, but you can see that it’s not quite enough. They won’t feel at peace until they know the actual outcome.   

But Dahee is still the best. What is she wearing? What is that? She’s still the best. 

Baekho goes on, “There was a part that was particularly impressive. Bain-shi, the performance really showed how well you use your voice.” And we get the “on&on&on” part again. Fair. 

EVERYONE, I TOLD YOU ABOUT BAIN. I TOLD YOU. 

Baekho continues, “Bain gets possessed on stage! If there were someone like him on my team, I’d feel so thankful.” 

Wendy says, “I really enjoyed watching it. I felt like I was watching a concert, too.” She likes how they walked in at the beginning, like cowboys, and how they kept the energy up. 

VCG asks Minseo how long he has been a trainee, and he says 4 years. VCG says that if Minseo is this good after only a few actual performances, what more is he capable of in the future? Both VCG and Solar are excited to see where he goes next. Solar is like, “You’re obviously with an agency, right?” And Minseo says, “um, actually… no…” And Solar is like WTF? VCG says that if he were CEO of an agency, he’d take Minseo immediately. I think that’s on the horizon….

 Backstage, Woong looks right into the camera and says “Brand New Music! Call him right now!!!” (At least, I think that’s what he says. They bleep out part of the company name.)

I guess there’s no time to compliment Bitsaeon, which is a bummer; I think he also did really well. But now it’s time to make BPR Unnie unhappy. 

The judges have to vote for which team did better, and they joke about going on strike, saying that they just can’t choose. But they do choose, of course. 

Who are we losing of my two favorites, Jeup or Bain? 

COMMERCIAL BREAK! 

I repeat, who are we losing of my two favorites, Jeup or Bain? 

The blue votes are for Team Bit-Bain, and the red votes are for Jeup’s team. So guest judge, Wendy, and Jaehwan went with team Bit-Bain, while Baekho, Solar, VCG, and Eunkwang went for Jeup’s team.

We’re losing Bain, Bitsaeon, and Minseo.  

They hold it together with dignity. Bain even has it in him to give the other team the thumbs up. Class act.

Jeup is sort of pacing around with his hand on his ribcage, as if he’s trying to calm his heart. He’s crying a little. Oh, no, MY heart! And your heart! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT ALL OUR HEARTS? 

Suhwan steps forward to speak on behalf of his team, and says things like they worked hard and think both teams did well and thank you everyone and yadda yadda. 

Dahee talks to Jeup, saying, “You must have been very nervous.” 

Baekho picks up his mic and says, “Careful now, you’ll lose your muscles if you don’t stop crying.” If anyone would know, it’d be Baekho!

Jeup clears his throat and says, “I normally don’t cry. Actually, this performance was a bit scary. The other team was so good, and I’m the oldest member of my team. I thought I shouldn’t let my teammates know about my anxiety. I think it was very difficult in many ways. Before the performance, I told my teammates to be calm, but I think I was talking to myself. Thank you, everyone.” 

Dahee says that Bain, Bitsaeon, and Minseo have been eliminated. 

Bain says, “I had a lot of fun on stage. Bitsaeon and Minseo worked so hard.”

He’s fighting back tears, but he goes on. “Of course, I do feel sad. But it was great to show you myself through Build Up.

The judges reassure them that they really did a really good job too. They’re sad that they have to send away a team that did so well.

But backstage, Bain’s team seems to be relatively at peace. They know they did well and they’re still proud of the job they did, even if they’re sad that they lost. At least they went out on a high note. 

If you’re sad about losing Bain, watch this video of him singing Unholy by Sam Smith. 

And I think I'll end this post here, because this is almost 30 pictures already. So I'll see you in the next one, when Team Gruff N'Smooth takes on Team sweeties. Take care until then!

[cheakie18]

happy birthday to this #Sexy4Eva guy, Jay Park!!! <3

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @cheakie18 on Apr 25, 2019 at 2:26am PDT

so i watched this Fun with Dumb ep as a study break and it really reinforces why i’m so proud to be a Jwalker. i always enjoy listening to Jay talk in interviews and he always keeps it real in his interviews (swipe right on my IG post to see my fave clips from the podcast!) ppl ask me oh why are u his fan b/c he dances, sings, raps well? his abs? well heck yes to all the above but really beyond all of that, i appreciate Jay Park cuz of his personality and how he carries himself as a person. so here i am instead of studying, writing this appreciation post to the one and only Jay Park b/c it’s 4/25 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MF BOSS, JAY PARK 💙💙💙🥳 !!! . thank you for being such a humble, down-to-earth, resilient, super hardworking (hustling all day everyday), dedicated, selfless, caring person. thank you for always doing you & for standing up for what you believe in.

like forreals Jay’s got such a good head on his shoulder and he’s a person with such good character and i really resonate with his mindset, outlook on life, values, and beliefs. 

i love how he gave his true thoughts/opinions about marriage and relationships in this ep. you can tell Jay’s forsure gonna settle down in the future. when PassDa asked “yall really think u can stay faithful to a girl tho forreal forreal - one girl, your whole life.” and dude Jay had no hesitation and said “yeah”. you can tell Jay wants to have a family in the future (LIKE THAT VIDEO OF HIM LOOKING AT Chan SungJung’s BABY SO ENDEARLINGLY. SOMEONE WANTS TO BE A DADDY WITH THAT SWEET GAZE /imelt ;~;) and that he’ll forsure stay faithful to the girl he’ll get married to <3 and maybe this is why he’s saying he’ll retire in a couple years b/c he wants to start a family ? honestly as a fan of him since day 1 i can’t help but be sad that he mentioned about retiring twice on twitter, but YOU DO YOU JAY AND AS LONG AS YOU ARE HAPPY, IM GOOD. ;~;

also love that what matters to him isn’t all that worldly stuff that are transient, the money and fame, he knows that all those can be stripped away easily. and man there’s so much wisdom in his words when he says that at the end of the day what’s most important is who you are as a human being. money doesn’t define ppl but how you are as a human being is what defines you.  🔥🔥🙌. FACTS. this is why i stan him. he doesn’t let fame get into his head and forreals whenever other artists talk about him, yes they mention how talented he is but most importantly they define him by his character whenever they salute him for being so hardworking or humble or down-to-earth. like this just legit shows how respected Jay is for his personality/character. even DFD was like Jay is the one of the kings of getting back to or collabing or sending a verse back and that just shows how he keeps his word and even Lyrics said Jay’s “down to earth is wild” and his “humility is astounding”. BOOM. NUFF SAID.

and i love that he keeps it 💯 with Philippians 2:3-4. Jay is self-less and i love that he looks out for other ppl, gives back to the culture, he elevates other ppl and helps them progress in their craft as well. and he said it best in his IG post awhile back when he said he “never hesitate to share game and show love and respect no matter who you are. just for the mere fact i wanna see everybody win” and in this podcast when he mentions he makes sure that he and other ppl are building something all together, rather than him being money hungry, he makes sure everyone is good.

dude i can go on and write another essay about Jay right now and how he inspires me and how great of a person he is ;~;  BUT HONESTLY I JUST WANNA SAY THAT JAY PARK, YOU ARE SERIOUSLY SUCH A GOOD PERSON AND IM GLAD I WATCHED THIS PODCAST B/C IT JUST REINFORCES WHY IM SO PROUD TO BE YOUR FAN ;~~~; HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN. WISHING YOU MUCH HAPPINESS CUZ U DESERVE IT.  ILY JAY <33 ;~~;

‘I CANT WAIT FOR  #CHOSEN1 ON MAY1st, HIS 4-PART DOCUMENTARY IS GONNA MAKE ME CRY T.T

CAN’T WAIT FOR #THEROADLESSTRAVELED TO DROP

CAN’T WAIT FOR HIS WORLD TOUR. 

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE PICS OF HIM  BEING AWARDED THE “GAME CHANGER AWARD” at the Smithsonian APA event 

KEEP MAKING BOSS MOVES AND KEEP KILLIN IT JAY ❤️❤️❤️🥰

lowkey wish @jayparkofficial can read this appreciation post lol 

[kristian-do]

[17'S] 배틀트립으로 평창을 다녀와서 너무 좋았어요 ㅎㅎ 멋있는 인피니트 성종 우현 선배님 고생 많으셨습니다 감사합니다♡ 평창동계올림픽 많이 사랑해주시고 뿌뀨트립 언젠가 다시 돌아올게요

(trans.) It was great to have gone for the Pyeongchang battle trip ㅎㅎ The cool infinite sungjung, woohyun sunbaenims, you’ve worked hard, thank you ♡ Please love Pyeongchang olympics a lot, boogyu will come back here any time.

[sungwoonsgf]

I don't tend to watch many shows I tend to just learn names over time or by watching things they've done with youtubers (like the pronouncing western names Topp Dogg did and the videos Hotshot did that I can't remember the names of). Biases let's see... It'll probably change in Hotshot and Spica once I get to know them more but right now my biases are Junhyuk and Boa. As for Topp Dogg and Boys Republic those groups have two of my ults Minsu and Hansol. What about you? - Nynf

Ohhh makes sense, I usually binge watch each and every interview of whatever group I get into XD it’s.. a bad habit LOL

My bias in Hotshot should be obvious by my url but then I have a gif of Junhyuk on my blog so 🔎 what am I doing tbh, and yassss Boa is my bae. For Topp Dogg my bias changes every other day lmao I legit cant choose smh and for Boys Republic Sungjung!

What are your fave songs for the groups?? I could jam ALL DAY to Watch Out by Hotshot XD

[solegossiphq]

Fishbowl questions have been sent out! There are five members who were unable to receive submissions (Gwangmin, Yena, Eli, Sungjung, and Sunny), so if you’d like to receive your fishbowl questions just turn your submissions on and let me know when you do. Thank you to everyone who sent in some questions, I’m looking forward to reading your answers! The submission box will be reopened for confessions, but i’m no longer accepting fishbowl questions.

[pcrkjmin]

love is thicker than blood... | a taemin self-para. 

advertencias: menciones de violencia, mención breve de homofobia

taemin jamás imaginó que llegaría el día en que pasaría una mañana entera acompañando a su padre en cualquier situación, pero helos aquí en el hospital. 

su madre llamó la noche anterior, preocupada hasta la médula y lloriqueando como magdalena en velorio, diciendo que su padre estaba muy enfermo y necesitaba estudios urgentes (qué ellos no podían pagar, ni con el dinero de la jubilación, al parecer) para descartar o confirmar un cáncer avanzado. taemin podría haber dicho que no, que el hombre podía agonizar en la incomodidad de su cama por el resto de sus días para lo que a él le importaba, de no ser por su hermana mayor que le llamó a primera hora de la mañana, suplicando que por favor lo acompañara. 

sunjung, su noona, quien continuó velando por él cuando sus padres lo corrieron de la casa familiar a los trece, quien curó las heridas causadas por el mismo tarado que los trajo a una vida de sufrimiento y traumas, siempre tan amable y valiente ante el mundo pero igual de fuerte que un roble de cientos de años... taemin no pudo decirle que no, jamás a ella. así fue como terminó esperando a ong taeho, padre, jubilado, esposo y abusador, en una banca metálica en el corredor de oncología de un hospital privado.

  ahora mismo tendría que estar con alec, ayudándolo a alistar a los gemelos para bañarse. seguro yoa seguía usando el gorro de lana que tanto le gusta llevar a la escuela  y yohan seguía usando esa capa de superhéroe por encima del uniforme, ambos con sus mejillas regordetas y los cabellos lacios parados como los de una escoba. los extrañaba, incluso si los había visto hace poco. 

ayer debería haber sido su último día en corea, con las promociones y un par de reuniones terminadas, pero la “ familia ” pasó primero....

  “¿terminaste?” cuestionó, poniéndose de pie cuando el hombre abandonó la sala de resonancia magnética, alisándose el cardigan que traía encima para que las arrugas no quedaran permanentes. recibió un tarareo como respuesta y pronto la enfermera los acompañó al consultorio del doctor. 

la siguiente media hora se basó en el diagnóstico del hombre, las posibles enfermedades que podía tener taeho, los riesgos existentes por su edad y los tratamientos que ofrecían para casos como los suyos. tampoco olvidó mencionar los precios y aunque taemin y sungjung tenían buenos ingresos por sus trabajos, el estómago se le cayó a los pies al escuchar las cifras. podía jurar que la suma de todas las cosas que taeho le compró en la vida, jamás igualaría aquella cantidad y eso hablaba más de la paternidad del hombre, que otra cosa.

  “no tenias que traerme. le dije a tu madre que no era necesario.” apenas podía caminar el viejo, pero eso no parecía ser impedimento para sus comentarios imprudentes y desagradecidos pues llevaba toda la mañana hablando.  “mhm, ya lo sé, lo mismo le dije a noona pero insistió y ya sabes cómo es de testaruda.” era, posiblemente, lo único en lo que estaban de acuerdo. el hombre se acomodó el sombrero, su cabeza casi calva oculta debajo de aquel accesorio viejo y empolvado, haciendo un notorio contraste junto al más joven, que portaba un cabello rubio estilizado y un atuendo cómodo pero que parecía sacado de una revista. 

“te ves como un maric-” inició taeho, pero taemin lo interrumpió al instante, sus dedos apretados sobre la manija de su maleta, los nudillos blancos del esfuerzo. “ya me tengo que ir. tu taxi no tarda en llegar, te llevará a casa de noona.” eso era todo lo que su padre necesitaba saber, por lo mismo no soltó otra palabra después de darse la media vuelta. “¿te vas porque quieres volver con esos niños, verdad? aigoo, después de casi abandonarlos cuando nacieron...” la cizaña escurrió en cada vocablo y taemin no tardó en volver sobre sus pasos, el corazón acelerado y su mirada nublada por algo que solo conocía como coraje. “no se atreva a hablar sobre malas decisiones en la paternidad cuando usted el peor ejemplo qué hay.” escupió, sin importarle mucho que estuvieran a las afueras de un hospital, con gente caminando al rededor de ellos.

“no deberías volver, ellos necesitan una familia normal, taemin. deja que el otro se haga cargo y tu quédate aquí.” el rubio desde siempre supo darse cuenta cuando las palabras de su padre venían cargadas de veneno y más cosas negativas, eso porque no se dirigió a él de otra manera mientras vivieron bajo el mismo techo. “basta. no hables más de ellos, ni de alec, ni de nadie de mi familia nunca más. voy a volver a mi hogar cada vez que me aleje, con mis hijos y con mi esposo.” hizo énfasis en las palabras para que al viejo le quedaran claras, en caso que el oído también le estuviera fallando. taemin, por mucho tiempo, dejó pasar las groserías de su padre por encima de su cabeza, pero de eso nunca más. 

“no son tus hijos. son de tu hermana y ese hombre, ellos los hicieron y tu solo te encargaste de cuidarlos y alimentarlos un par de veces. eso no te hace un padre. jamás lo serás hasta que tengas hijos biológicos. ¿por qué no lo entiendes? ¿por qué tienes que hacer tan difíciles las cosas, taemin? tanto que tú madre quiere ver a sus nietos y no puede porq-” taemin explotó, dejando que su maleta cayera al piso sin mucha preocupación, acercándose a taeho con pasos tan pesados como ladrillos.

“¡basta! te dije que no hablaras más de ellos.” su dedo índice terminó frente a la nariz del viejo, ancha y todo lo contrario a la de taemin, un rasgo que siempre hizo dudar a todos de su parentesco.  “no quiero que los vuelvas a mencionar con tu asquerosa boca, nunca. ¡y si son mis hijos! biológicos o no, ¡ soy más padre de lo que tú fuiste en 38 años! ¡soy más padre de lo que tú serás en lo que te resta de vida!” su voz era fuerte y firme. pero el nudo en su garganta lo era más. “¿crees que “solamente” cuidar a un hijo no me hace un padre? en ese caso, tú tampoco lo eres. jamás me cuidaste, ni a sunjung, ni un bendito día de nuestra vida nos alimentaste ni velaste por nosotros.” bufó una risa agria, llena de disgusto.  “¡jamás fuiste un padre y jamás lo serás! siempre serás la escoria que me golpeaba diario porque no podía controlar su puto problema con el alcohol. siempre serás el idiota que sacó a su hijo moribundo de casa por tener preferencias sexuales distintas. siempre serás un maldito monstruo.” llego a invadir el espacio personal de taeho, apuntándolo con el índice directo en el pecho. “quédate con tus malditos prejuicios y tu enfermedad, porque a mi me importa una reverenda mierda si te mueres mañana mismo.” recogió su maleta del piso, bajándose las lentillas de sol para bloquear los rayos de este (o quizá fue para cubrir las lágrimas que se le acumularon en los ojos) . “olvídate que tienes un hijo, olvídate que tienes nietos y olvídate que alguna vez te llame padre.” y justo en ese momento, gracias a los dioses, llegó su taxi. las personas fuera del hospital retomaron las actividades que pausaron para ver el drama, como buenos chismosos, pero al rubio solo le importaba largarse de ahí y legar al aeropuerto.  “tus resultados los envían en una semana, por cierto.” taemin subió al auto después de entregar su maleta al conductor; cerró la puerta con más fuerza de la necesaria y se alejó del hospital soltando humo por las orejas. comenzó a llorar cuando menos se dio cuenta, lágrimas llenas de dolor, coraje y otra cosa que no reconocía, pero parecía ser alivio. alivio de haber confrontado a su padre después de tantos años sufriendo en silencio, odiándolo a sus espaldas. alivio de deslindarse por completo de aquella familia que no hizo más que lastimarlo, tanto física como psicológicamente. 

  su teléfono sonó justo al llegar al aeropuerto. alec lo saludó desde el otro lado de la cámara y el mundo, llenado a taemin de ese sentimiento tan cálido que solo reconocía como su hogar. “hola amor, ya estoy en el aeropuerto.” la promesa de llegar a casa fue lo único que lo detuvo antes de hacer una locura respecto a su padre, si era honesto. “¿y los niños? ¿ya terminaron sus lecciones?” eran las 6pm en nueva york, quizá las 7 si sus cuentas eran correctas. los gemelos, que apenas habían mudado sus primeros dientes, saludaron a la cámara con sonrisas incompletas; el rubio sintió ganas de llorar. eran sus hijos por donde los viera, tenían sus ojos y su cabello, también esa aura de felicidad e inocencia que él perdió a la misma edad que tenían ellos ahora, solo que él sí se encargaría de preservar aquello en sus niños, su yoa y su yohan. “ah, pero miren el desastre que son sus cabellos. ya, papá va en camino, ¿vale?” los niños gritaron que lo extrañaban y después vino una ola de relatos: sobre yohan y su proyecto de artes, sobre yoa y su amiga haciendo un nuevo baile en la clase de la tarde, sobre alec equivocándose con sus abrigos por la mañana incluso cuando están rotulados. taemin escuchó todo con una sonrisa de oreja a oreja, como buen padre y como buen esposo, y solo se convenció más que su lugar estaba donde esos tres estuvieran. dios,  no podía esperar a llegar a casa. 

[7-dreamers]

[200315] hf_dreamcatcher Twitter Update (3/ 4)

[#Yoohyeon] I sang a response version of Heo Sungjung's new track! I've never shown you a ballad I sang alone ... it feels different!  ☺

Trans: 7-Dreamers | Please do not take without credit