This months update is a little bit behind, many apologies, was busy getting all of my University stuff done! So let’s look at my favourite April comebacks, and there’s a few…
5. I.M X ELHAE – HORIZON
Of course Monsta X have my support whether it’s group or solo, and this mixtape definitely got my attention very quickly. It’s a proper jam, I’m not complaining! So, anyone going to see them in London?
4. TWICE – FANCY
A new comeback from Twice, the amount they get I sometimes struggle to keep up. This took a few replays, but the chorus ends up being stuck in my head days on end. A lot of people were expecting a lot more from this, but I think it’s still very… Twice?
3. NU’EST – BET BET
The way this song snapped. I really need to get to know the members as this is a group I have been following for such a LONG time now when it comes to their music.
2. BLACKPINK – Kill This Love
Now this was definitely a song to split the fandom. I feel like half of the fandom loved it while the other didn’t… Either way, it broke some records and stuff, and these girls are so talented. Definitely a bop that I am enjoying very much!
1. YOUNGJAE – Another Night
Many of us were upset when we knew that the B.A.P boys weren’t going to be working as a group anymore and rather focus on themselves. However, this is definitely not as much of a loss as we all expected. All the boys are throwing amazing solo comebacks our way, and not to be biased (though he always was my bias), Youngjae completely snapped when it came to this song. Please love and support them all!
These were my top 5 songs of April within the KPOP genre, what were yours? Stay tuned for my post about SF9 in London which should be up in a few days!
If any of you want to fangirl, my dedicated fan account is @DesireWonho on Twitter! Just tweet at me and I’ll follow back~
The wait was finally over, the 3rd of April arrived and so did ATEEZ. The Korean pop group consists of 8 talented members that were ready to make this event at the O2 Kentish Town venue a night everyone would remember. Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho debuted on the 24th of October 2018, however had a pre debut show in which the fans could get to know their personalities and watch them take on challenges. The group grew quickly in popularity and within half a year of their debut they announced a highly demanded world tour.
ATEEZ in London on 3rd April 2019. Credits – Twitter: @DesireWonho
ATEEZ in London on 3rd April 2019. Credits – Twitter: @DesireWonho
ATEEZ in London on 3rd April 2019. Credits – Twitter: @DesireWonho
Fans by the barrier at ATEEZ in London 3rd April 2019. Credits – Facebook: Chiara Fulgoni Photography
ATEEZ in London on 3rd April 2019. Credits – Twitter: @DesireWonho
ATEEZ in London on 3rd April 2019. Credits – Twitter: @DesireWonho
The screams of fans filled the arena as soon as the lights dimmed, filling it with excitement and appreciation as soon as the first beat dropped. Their performance bought energetic choreography with powerful beats and impressive vocals. Unlike most Western artists, Korean artists focus heavily on bringing dance and vocals together and showing their well practiced routines.
‘Say My Name’ is their most recent release with over 19 million views on YouTube already. During the concert the fans supported their performance by singing fan chants at designated times and waving their light sticks in time to the beat. It’s clear to see that everyone there was impressed by the synchronised dancing, myself included.
ATEEZ – Say My Name in London, April 3rd 2019. MagJaeVlogs – Youtube.
To make the boys feel even more welcomed, a group of fans got together to work on a fan project which was able to come through thanks to donations and their hard work. I spoke to one of the organisers Weronika Janczak from @ateezlondon (Twitter) to get more information on how the whole fan project came about.
Weronika is a 17-year-old student from Taunton who has been into ATEEZ since their pre debut and has followed them ever since, biasing three members; Jongho, San and Wooyoung. She said: “We had three fan projects running, one for Seonghwa’s birthday, one on which we collaborated with a Korean fan site and one as thank you gifts for fans that donated to our first two projects.” The first banner was held during the time that the audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him, showing their love and support.
The second project were banners that were held during a song called ‘Promise’, with a design of all of the boys and a map to show how far they have travelled just to perform for their international fans. Weronika added: “The banners were supposed to get held up during Promise, however not everyone was able to do that, but the boys saw them which let the project still be successful.”
Lastly, there were donation gifts for those who donated money to make this project possible, which consisted of stickers, a thank you banner and a wristband. Weronika told me that: “We had an artist sketch out the stickers as well as one side of the donation banner. The wristband and the remaining side of it was designed by me.” Those who were unable to pick up their donation rewards will be able to claim them through the post.
In order to be able to collect donations and get their banners printed, they had to heavily focus on getting the word out by using social media and multiple accounts to advertise what they were hoping to achieve through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Their fans, also known as ‘Atiny’, started queuing outside the venue in the early hours of Wednesday morning to secure their place as close to the stage as possible. The day consisted of constant weather changes, leaving the fans cold and wet however that did not kill the mood of excitement to get into the venue and see their favourite band.
The show consisted of a lot of interactions with the audience, including a Q&A where each member had to do a challenge set by fans over Instagram using the hashtag #AskAteezInLondon. Those whose answers were selected won a signed polaroid of the member who chose their request!
Weronika Janczak, organiser of fan projects and winner of a signed polaroid.
ATEEZ continue their world tour experience all over Europe, stopping at a total of 10 destinations, with fresh content for each stop to make the shows slightly different to one another.
Their setlist for this world tour consisted of all their songs as well as dance covers and random k-pop dance mash up. If you had the chance, which song would you like to see live by ATEEZ?
The powerful rookie group is slowly taking over the k-pop industry, winning the hearts of thousands of fan girls and boys. Overall, ATEEZ is a group to definitely keep up with and they have delivered a night that I for sure will never forget.
Word definitions: Rookie group – a group that has recently debut in the k-pop industry. Bias/es – a fans favourite member/s. K-pop – Korean pop.
As we sneak into April, it’s time for me to review the month of March and give you my top 5!
5. MOMOLAND – I’m So Hot
Definitely a song that I have had stuck in my head for multiple days on end…
4. Lee Gikwang – Don’t Close Your Eyes (D.C.Y.E)
This is a solo artist I have loved for such a long time, and this song just bring my love for him even higher!
3. KARD – Bomb Bom
I have not really liked a comeback from KARD for a little while, but this one is just the one to make me realise how talented this group is, and to pay them more attention again!
2. PENTAGON – SHA LA LA
This song definitely had to grow on me, and it’s really odd still not hearing E’dawn with them, but these boys need and deserve all the support they can get, so I will always be there for them. Please support these boys, their company doesn’t understand-
1. VAV – THRILLA KILLA
Now we are talking about my favourite of this month, this song has been on repeat, and I mean it. VAV were always a special group to me, meeting them last year was definitely one of my highlights! Their popularity is slowly rising, and this song is definitely a great one to show to new fans! Enjoy Thrilla Killa!
What has been your favourite comeback of March? There are many amazing artists to choose from!
Finally, (since shipping from Korea to the UK takes its time), I am able to share with you a full album unboxing (all 4 versions) along with photocard reveals.
Full album unboxing with photocard reveals.
I am still missing some Wonho photocards (as I am a Wonho collector), so if you have any trades you’d like to make, please check my Twitter on which photocards are still available!
Throughout February, we as the fans of K-POP have been blessed with the amount of comebacks that we have received. I’m going to give you my top 5 favourite comebacks that I have had on REPEAT since they’ve come out!
Scroll down for a poll to let me know which of these is YOUR favourite!
5. (G)I-DLE – Senorita
Even though it wasn’t a song that instantly became my favourite, it was definitely one that grew on me over time. These girls are so talented and the song has a nice fresh sound!
4. Dreamcatcher – PIRI
Another strong comeback from Dreamcatcher, this instantly became one of my top picks for this month! These girls never fail to disappoint when it comes to bringing us an amazing sound.
3. Taemin – Want
Taemin has blown my mind once again. Every. Single. Time. His music style is so unique I can’t help but support him… (who wants an album unboxing..?).
2. ITZY – Dalla Dalla
Rookies? These girls are rookies? Already having at least one music show win under their belt, this group is definitely one to look out for. Their teasers had me instantly, I love how different sounding this is.
1. Monsta X – Alligator
This comeback is Joohoney’s era, I swear. Honestly, this had me shook from the moment it dropped. Have you seen such strong choreography… on water? The whole album has made me fall in love with them even more (is that even possible..?) and for that reason, Alligator gets the number one spot as my favourite comeback of February!
Alligator is my favourite, but let me know, which is yours?
Monsta X dropped their brand new single ‘Alligator’ with a full album called ‘We Are Here’ in February, and are already conquering Korean music shows. Alligator has already received many reactions from their fans (monbebes), hyping it up and streaming constantly to keep them at a good position for music shows.
In Korea, when an artist releases new music, they promote the single or album on a variety of different music shows along side other artist releasing music at the same time. At the end of the show, depending on different statistics such as music video views, physical album sale etc, the artist with the most points wins the trophy and performs their song one more time.
Receiving an award is an emotional experience for most artists, especially if it’s their first win. They express their gratitude by thanking the fans for getting them the award and promising to keep working hard in the future.
For Wonho’s birthday, monbebes are doing their best to secure another win on a music show to make his day even more special. To help, please stream Alligator!
Before I go, Monsta X are already teasing with a world tour, so far only announcing Seoul (Korea) as a date. Just out of interest, where would you like Monsta X to travel to and why?
Korean Pop (also knowns as K-Pop) is highly listened to across the world, with international fan bases that can sell out venues in minutes.
As BlackPink sold out the SSE Wembley Arena in London within three minutes, I wanted to see how well students from Derby University knew about K-Pop, if anything at all.
Cassidy Bailey is a 22-year-old student from Birmingham that works as a retail assistant in the Student Union shop, was rather intrigued when it came to asking her what she knew about it.
Have you heard about K-Pop before? ‘Yeah, I have heard about it before, but never really listened to it myself.‘
If so, are there any artists you have heard of? ‘I have seen BTS on my Instagram feed as I was scrolling down and seen snippets of who they are.‘
Lastly, would the language barrier stop you from listening to this genre? ‘Probably to an extent, however if it’s good music I am likely to listen to it. However, not understanding is what is currently making me not want to listen as I can’t sing along and don’t know what they are singing about. It’s probably the reason I haven’t listened to any in the first place.’
This leaves us with a question of, how many people don’t even give Korean music a chance, just because they can’t understand the language? Let me know, how long have you been into K-Pop and what struggles did you have to overcome?
A Student Union flag within the shop where Cassidy works.
Cassidy Baileys, 22, working as a retail assistant.
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