Tale of Time

I have a K-pop fan since as early 2009 (I think) and throughout the years, I have known a lot of K-pop groups but only a few I have stanned or become a really die-hard fan and created a following. This week's entry will focus on the groups that have become pillars of my K-pop fan-ess. I am not saying these groups are pass of their time or irrelevant but they made a big impact on my life as a K-pop fan.

Super Junior

The group that made me count every person on screen. The group that paved the way for the ideology that a group can't exceed ten members. Super Junior's Sorry Sorry, No other, Mr. Simple and many other hits has won me over. Each member having his own charming personality, a leader who cares for his members, and members who treat each other as family who wouldn't be a fan of them? Super Junior has been and is still being tested by time, with members facing issues and scandals, members enlisting in the military, and contracts ending - they are conquering all of these everyday. Super Junior is strong where they have established their own agency called Label SJ. Here are what some of the members are up to - Siwon is acting, Yesung and Henry as soloists, Donghae and Eunhyuk are still in the unit D&E while the others are serving their mandatory military service and other activities. I wish Super Junior longevity and more success in their future activities as a group or as a solo artist.

f(x)

The experimental girl group of SM Entertainment. The girl group with no permanent concept and will surprise you with every comeback they make, ladies and gentle this is f(x). Consisting of members Luna, Amber, Krystal, Sulli, and Victoria - these ladies break girl group stereotypes. Their music is always "music to my ears" and their music videos, definitely ice candy. I suggest watching Electric Shock. These girls have also battled with the legendary Wonder Girls for the top spot in music programs. Dark, tomboy, feminine, quirky, EDM - name whatever concept you want and f(x) can do. If only their agency would promote them properly. Improper promotions has lead to member Sulli withdrawing from the group and f(x)'s last promotion was 4Walls. Members are busy pre-occupying themselves while their agency has no plans in giving them an album. Leader Victoria has gone back to China in the meantime and will be releasing a song, Luna is regularly releasing songs through SM's digital music platform called Station, Amber is doing vlogs and Krystal is doing photoshoots and endorsements. I wish f(x) even more success and recognition and even more albums because it would be sad if a group like them with tons of potential and flexibility would go down in obscurity.

SHINee

Ah - how could I miss out SHINee. The male counterpart of f(x). SHINee has brought us many hits like the ever iconic Ring Ding Dong, the K-pop song with the most difficult choreography Lucifer (this song made my mom question my music preference as the title is of dark origins), and my ever favorite Hello. SHINee is like five amazing people who excel in their own rights packed into one group, you could say they are multi-talented because they are, Onew acting in Descendants of the Sun, Jonghyun ✝️ who is an amazing composer who composed for the likes of Taeyeon and Lee Hi, Taemin being an amazing dancer and solo artist, Minho who is serving looks and winning the hearts of many through dramas, and Key being a diva and creating other groups from other entertainments. Indeed SHINee is talent rolled into one. I just wish when they ever comeback as four, I wish them strength and success as well.

After School

Dubbed as the Pussycat Dolls of Korea, After School will always be treasured for their amazing stage performances. Starting out with 5 members during their debut with "Ah" the group has gone a lot of line-up changes due to its "graduation" program. Just like a school, a student or in this case a member graduates from the group when her contract ends or she becomes qualified for something bigger. But what is amazing with this group is their choreography. How? They incorporated same sex relationships before it became a thing, tap dancing, a marching band, high heels, and pole dancing - yes After School did that. No other girl group can compare and surpass their choreography. Sadly for After School, they have not returned as a full group since 2013 and fans are thinking that they are nearing disbandment. I wish After School and all of its members success in their solo and group activities.

Girls' Generation

The Nation's Girl group, the Representative Girl group, Korea's Number 1 - these are just some of their titles. Girls' Generation was my first girl group to become a die hard fan of. Why? It is like having 9 individual talents converging into one. They attract and command attention, they dominate the chart and the stage, they win your hearts, yes ladies and gentlemen this is SNSD. Iconic lyrics like gee gee gee baby bay, you better run run run run, bring the boys out, let's bring it back to 1:40 - truly legendary. They are the only K-pop group to win Youtube's Best Music Video award beating the likes of Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. The only girl group to have more than 100 wins on music shows, to out-sell Japanese dome concerts, and the only girl group be awarded as Best Jean-ist award, I don't know the relevance of it but hey it is still an award. There is no word on the activities of the group but solo promotions are happening as of today, other members are studying while some are busy acting. I wish they would reunite and slay the stage once more.

Truly SNSD will always have a special place in my heart.

I hope you enjoyed reading through the post as I have enjoyed reminiscing the past, til the next entry,