#this isn't going on my art blog because kpop LOL

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

I love to see my biases get the BB 1s, but when one starts making that their goal, hmm that kind of disconnects me from them as an artist.

I won't say more. I just wish artists I stan placed more focus on the art. Let charts happen naturally.

You're blog isn't like the blind fandom, so I am saying this here.

It's not hard to see through things. Chapter 2 has been interesting so far. I am not making any opinions based of things that are happening, but if it becomes a pattern with the artist, well... that's a problem.

Anon, we both know who were're talking about, lol. I'm gonna use the names, for the sake of making it easier for me to write a response.

A few weeks ago, I was watching this documentary about Wham. Some light entertainment for me initially, but it did offer me the chance for a fresh perspective. I don't exactly remember the details, but they've reached a point in which George Michael wanted to have 4 songs to reach number 1 on some chart, the fourth being Last Christmas. He was a bit obsessed with this and he also wanted to be a bigger artist. In later archival interviews, Michael actually mentions it was his ego as an artist because he knew he could. And he did, he outgrew the boyish band and the situation was almost ideal because Andrew, his bandmate, also knew that. It also meant getting away from their carefully constructed image, the object of desire for teenagers and women everywhere. For George, it was also about stepping away from performing a specific type of heteronormativity that can be found in boy bands. It never crossed my mind while watching it that his ego is too big, or why is he so obsessed with the charts. Maybe because it was all in the past and I've seen what the future would hold for him. Or that when I heard him talk about what he wants to achieve and his inner struggle, there was sincerity there and also that drive that only someone really young can have when they believe they can do anything.

I've read Jungkook's Weverse interview and listened to what he had to say during the Seven promotions. And while there may be some comparisons to be made to how George Michael came across when talking about his musical career, there were also some differences.

I'm glad to see Jungkook being more confident. I remember some of the things he used to say in the past, about his self worth, a lack of confidence and meaning outside the group. That wasn't healthy. And to hear him now, especially on Suchwita, it's a 180° change. But in his case, there's a very fine line between being confident and becoming cocky. And that's not a good look. It's almost like he's trying to project an image of a new Jungkook but one that is still in the works and not all parts fit perfectly together. He's going through a transformation ever since the hiatus, which I expected. It was about having to adapt to a different pace, life after 10 years of being part of a group. Jungkook was always trying to find his identity and this single is only one step in that journey.

But that doesn't mean that I as a fan and as a person, have to like it. If it doesn't match with what I'm looking for in the artists that I'm interested in, then so be it. I will talk about it, but I'll also not follow that person's musical career anymore. If I don't like the artistic direction and I don't like this overconfident, slighly exaggerated bravado, then that's it.

It's also impossible to not make a comparison to Jimin. Not for some dick measuring contest (it's what pjms and jjks are doing), but because there is room and justification for it. Both are from the same kpop group, both have embarked on a solo career and both chose a more mainstream pop music, as opposed to their older bandmates. And both got that BB 1. And what we can compare is song quality, artist reaction and how the company's response came across into fan spaces.

In terms of the songs, I could write entire essays because at the end of the day, it wouldn't matter. It's all subjective. There is no rule that says a number one song should be about some personal experience, or the singer should have writing credits on it. And I also can't take away my subjectivity. I will chose Like Crazy over a song that not only sounds like a Bieber tune from years ago, but also has lyrics as if they were written by the boys from Larry Clark's Kids.

As to the reaction, Jimin did exactly what I expected him to do. He was humble, grateful and emotional and we saw that when he turned on the livestream. It's what makes him who he is and how he always behaves. As opposed to that, Jungkook wanted to be appear cool. And for what? Especially when later he said how excited he actually was but he refrained from expressing that. Where's the authenticity that he seeks so much through his livestreams? Because he released a song about sex for which he never officially performed live the explicit version, that means that the attitude should match that? I know the next day he was live and he was really nice. But that entire event is tainted in my mind with this almost expectation and confidence that he'll get that no. 1 and after he got the western validation, they decided to remember there's fans at home too and went to Inkigayo.

Which leads me to the last point that shows the obvious bias and preference that cannot simply be denied when it comes to BH. It's even more obvious because the entire BTS brand was that there are no favorites, which is not the same strategy as with other companies and groups. And now, all of a sudden, there is. It's great that BH celebrates an artist's success and they can immediately put on a show. But it doesn't justify how the first one to have the achievement was ignored. I have to admit, I was happy when Jimin got his no. 1 because I thought it only meant more promotions, more Jimin, more of everything. Just to be left utterly confused.

I've put that all in the past and I really try not to get too emotionally involved because as an individual, it has no bearing on my personal life and it doesn't have that many negative effects on my fan engagement.

I side eye Jungkook for how he presents himself in official promotions, but then he goes live and all of a sudden, it's the Jungkook that I'm used to. The guy who is a dork and funny and grateful to his fans. The one who cries hearing fan songs and who still beats himself up for hours because he messed up a song. I do criticize some of his actions and statements, but I'm not slandering him. The guy seems like a genuinely nice person and I still like him. He's still one of my biases for many reasons. But me having this reaction to content catered specifically for fans to create a more intimate connection is something BH was always good at. We only have to look at all the BTS footage out there. They've perfected the way in which personality comes first a lot of the times. It's what draws fans in (aside from music) and what keeps them interested. I'm part of that.

I'm convinced that it's most likely that a Jungkook fan or army or whoever disagrees with me, will read all this and believe I hate Jungkook. Which would be a shame because all I'm trying to do is explain how complex this situation is. It's never as black and white as solo stans would like everyone to believe and it's not a debate that can be generalized and tossed aside as solo talk by the ot7 chorus. I'm sure there are a lot of reasonable people in this fandom still who are able to have more than one thought in their head and see that only through a naunced discussion we can look at facts, see what's an exaggeration and what's false. To be able to distinguish between facts and personal opinion and also to admit that. That's not possible if we're not looking at these people as complex beings, instead of victims and villains.

[uselessvalshit]

On my way to know ONF

In order to help myself stan, I'm gonna make a list of my first impressions on all ONF songs. I already did this with Day6 and it worked wonderfully.

This couldn't be possible without @sirlucina 's help! <3 She super kindly gave me a list of their songs! Go follow her in her kpop blog @byonggon !

Here it goes!

ON/OFF: I'll be honest, I may have already spoiled myself on some songs thanks to RtK, and this one I got spoiled on the literal "on/off" part lol. Anyway, the MV first! I'm actually super fan of the visuals! Specially the super white part and this weird comercial center full of plants? Idk, it looks awesome! The also look very handsome! There's this guy with a kind of low rap that I don't completely vibe with, is he the one that isn't in the group anymore? (Bear with me, i only know Wyatt and MK's names, I promise I'll watch a guide later so I at least know who's singing what.) Anyway, the song is also great! It got the perfect summer vibes for these days! They're voices sound great all together. It hits in a really special way those firsts "on/off". And the lyrics are cute and super clever! (God, I've been having fun with the "lights on/off" concept in their greetinga and in their songs for RtK).

Difficult: "IT'S FUCKING SUMMER, BITCH!! And it's time to fucking crush over someone!!!", that's what this song screams to me. I loved it!! Like, as soon it started, with that beat at the back, it got me hooked! It's so so nice! And the sound at the back as soon as the chorus hits the "It's so hard~"? That got me down completely in love with this song. It's so fun! Obviously the lyrics are also super cute! Gosh, put this on the lost of songs that actually make me want to get a crush for about three minutes, damn!

If We Dream: A ballad~! It has the Yearning™ feel. And it just has the sound of a song that'd play in a fancy concert with rich people? Or just a place with rich people. It's... like, slow, but not completely, and there's a lot of instruments in the background that make it sound as if it's played by an orchestra to entertain someone. I see you, Vocal Boy in charge of that beatiful note in aprox min 3:11, and I'll discover your name tomorrow! Also, the person that translated this used like a showcase stage? So I was SHOOK when I saw Wyatt singing, I need me more of that, please!!!

Original: Ooook, this gotta be one of the most "aggresive" cheer up songs I've heard lol Like, is that a "jerk" from Wyatt? But it totally works! It really made smile :) Seriously, it's such an incredible song, I really like the lyrics~. And not only that, also the sound! The vocals right after the "original"? Bitch, that's so fucking satisfying, wtf? I want more of that. Let's not even talk about MK's note at the end, it's art!

Cat's Waltz: afsjhsjsjsjdsklkdlfkskd, IT'S A FUCKING CUTE SONG! CUTE AS IN AEGYO!! AHHHHH!!! I'm dead. Like, it's a freaking flirty song, and I'm never gonna admit in real life that it got me giggling like an idiot, nope, never. The translator used this freaking choreography video on a playground and I'm losing my shit cause this choreo it's too cute. Like, get these cute boys outta my face, I can't handle this. I really like the song, it has a really nice feeling, but Cute Concepts™ are always a struggle for me, I always cringe so fucking hard, but I'll tolerate it just because this song it really is cute!

[toptaigaa]

FAQ/ABOUT ME

*About Me*

Hello my nickname is Taigaa, please everyone call me that! This is my main art, doodles, ask and blog tumblr. My style of drawing isn't consistent yet as I’m still experimenting as I'm still learning new techniques everyday I think are better for my different art ideas, but I am doing my best, so thank you very much for liking and following my blog. :)

*FAQ*

Current Fandoms:

Vtuber fanart, Arcane, Hades Game, FFXV, P5, MHA, Promare, Demon Slayer, Beastars, MDZS, Dororo, YOI, VLD, Free!/50% Off, Haikyuu, JJBA, Aggretsuko, DBH Game, Avatar/Korra, StarvsEvil, and many more...

What is your birthday/gender/race?

July 16 (cancer)

Female

Brown American

Why did you pick that blogname/nickname?

Ah Taigaa or TopTaigaa because I saw the anime Toradora and thought the characters name was cute. For the top part bc I wanna be a top best artist on tumblr even though I’m not. LOL

Do/Did you go to art school?

Yes, but I had to drop out because of financial issues. Maybe I'll return who knows, but then again theres free tutorials everywhere to help me improve my skills.

How long have you been drawing?

Aaahum since a very young age but I didnt really start digital art til 2010 the start of me going to art college. I  didnt have my on plug in wacom tablet or laptop right off the bat to practice more til I think a year or two later. Im very late in the game...thats the poor life for ya.

Do you cosplay/Do you go to cons?

Yes I cosplay but I'm a late newbie started in 2013, but been going to cons since 2009 I think.

Yes! I will post it on IG

Do you take draw/doodle request?

Feel free to ask them and if it catches my interest, I may just draw it.  

Do you do commissions?

I will post about it, its not always open.

Can you give tips on drawing so and so?

I'm really bad at this because I'm still improving my style and techniques, but I can try or recommend other pples stuff that have helped me.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I get it from different artist I admire, cartoons,animes, video games, music, japanese fashion trends, korean styles/kpop fashion trends, and fantasy/ haute couture fashion trends.

What art programs do you use for painting/drawing? 

I goes hard in da paints with Paint Tool Sai to draw/color on Laptop. On Ipad pro 12.9 I also use Clip Studio Paint EX app and Procreate app as well to draw and color when I’m not using my laptop.

What type of drawing tablet and computer do you use?

Apple Ipad Pro 12.9 32gb 1st Gen & Apple Pencil( all used from Ebay)

Dell Inspirion laptop runs windows 10(used passed down)

Wacom Cintiq 22HD Tablet(used from Ebay) w/ an ergo arm attached

(Out of art use)Asus EEE Slate EP121 PC tablet, comes with a pen and mine ran on windows 7 (used from Ebay)

(Out of art use) Wacom Intuos Pen Small(from BestBuys)

(Out of art use) Wacom Bamboo(1st tablet was a gift)

Do I recommend the these machines?

Ipad Pro 12.9 32gb is not the Ipad pro ver I wanted but at the time cud only afford. It is pretty good even though its the1st gen and not the highest storage but with the apple pen and drawing apps like procreate/clip studio it is really nice. It dosent completely replace my cintiq and computer setup at home but just helps me with having a mobile tablet for on the go that isnt thousands of dollars and can stand alone without carrying a heavy annoying laptop and other wacom type plug in tablet screen or no screen around. I will say if you can get the newest Ipad Pro 12.9 and apple pencil get it bc they make an amazing combo.

Dell labtop performance is decent to good but could always have better.

Wacom Cintiq 22HD is great its not the latest big huge screen desktop tablet from Wacom, but still has amazing pen pressure,screen resolution, and pen.

Asus EP121 EEE Slate pc tablet is ok just ok not great but if you can afford a higher cost wacom or wacom cintiq or even the new Ipad Pro, then get it because there amazing!!!, but if your poor like me a pc tablet is a good cheaper alternative to be able to draw directly on screen and you can make pro stuff but as far as my specific pc tablet the screen is a decent size, not as much memory space as laptop and the display makes your colors darker no matter how much you tinker with color settings its just the tablet tech. Moving art over to brighter color computer screen and editing in PS can fix this, everything is way brighter on my laptop by comparisons. Overall im not an expert on computers so I got mine because one of my top fav artist used to use  this pc tablet b4 upgrading an I thought to myself if they make amazing stuff with it then I'll get that one LOL. Overall Asus ep 121 gets the job down with all the annoyances.

Wacom Bamboo and Wacom Intuos Pen Small are really cheap even though none screen types they are good for beginners and has better pen pressure than my old used Asus EP121 EEE Slate pc tablet suprisingly.

Ok well all done, keep supporting me my amazing followers bye bye ☺️