A Kpop Amino and Kdrama Amino experience and what I learned about online communities

Hello, everyone!

Today's post falls, most likely, into the "Blow off some steam" category so, I do hope you'll bear with me and read until the end. I wonder if this has ever happened to you. Did you ever have the kind of experience I will be talking about or is it just my odd self acting up?

I was, until a little while ago, an avid user of two apps I thought the world of and a member of the two communities those apps were made for.

These apps are still nice and I recommend them to anyone who wants to get to know more about kpop and kdrama, share and meet new people who like the same things (if not being able to delete your account, should you choose to do so, isn't a problem for you as it was for me. but, about this, in another post).
My disappointment isn't entirely with the apps themselves or even their creators but with some of the members/users of those apps (members of those communities).

I know that this may look like the ostrich's head in the sand or hiding in my own bubble kind of attitude. But, this being one of my hobbies, this incident (or series of incidents) was something that made me rethink my attitude regarding some matters.
For me kpop and kdrama (anime, manga jdramas and so on) were a thing I had almost alone while growing up.

They were a hobby that I only shared with one other person (the other people we tried converting weren't impressed) and when that person got bored of this hobby, I was suddenly alone in it all. I wasn't as sad or bothered as I thought I'd be since I had my own likes and dislikes already formed. So, seeing this person leave our small world was somehow ok and expected. 

Now, growing up further while listening and watching kpop and kdrama (among many others), I was for the most part, as I said, alone. It was my own little bubble, my own safe haven, my relaxation time and I was, normally, really happy when I came across others that shared my passions and discovering K-pop and kdrama amino was an exciting moment for me. 

Well, that bubble burst quicker than a soap balloon. 

At first I was slightly curious about some of the behaviour displayed by so many of the people who shared my interests(I'm not saying that this kind of attitude and behaviour is to be seen only on kpop and kdrama amino, by no means. It's everywhere and it's what led me to my final conclusion) and I even engaged in conversations which, at times, led to unwanted arguments (due to misunderstandings). 

I thought and hoped it was a fleeting sensation and, maybe, a misjudgement on my part.
Alas, it was not so. More and more people with similar characteristics appeared. I kept seeing more and more articles and conversations that were straying from the starting point and the real topic which was music/tv series (in this case kpop/kdrama).

Again, I'm not talking about everyone, because I did meet some wonderful people there and I was even glad to befriend some of them. I'm talking about those who are (usually, the loudest ones) in need of attention and recognition. Those people who would do everything to stay in the spotlight and, alongside them, those who had no real understanding of what music, TV series or movie discussions really meant and were always deviating from the subject in the hopes of finding something completely different. 

I became increasingly frustrated with certain things these people wrote and, due to the previously mentioned arguments, I stayed away from any type of conversation that could turn into a misunderstanding and, as such, another argument.
It became so that, these apps that were meant as a way to connect with others who shared my interests and hobbies, turned into a source of continuous frustration. 

What made me stop and rethink about my priorities was the moment I experienced a feeling I had a few years back when, after an imprisonment style like opera masterclass, I, for over one month, didn't want to hear any kind of opera music, nor did I want to sing or do anything related to it. 

Remembering, all of a sudden that feeling when, one evening, I scrolled angrily past some kpop song and saying "tsk, this shit again!", I stopped, amazed by myself.
What had made me this angry about that particular song and that particular group? It was a post I saw on kpop amino and I was growing ever so tired of seeing that kind of people talking like that, stripping the music of all its beauty and turning it into something so dirty, trash like, by picking on petty things and trying (successfully, I might add) to create drama. 

Now, the problem with drama and scandal is that it has a mirage like effect, a fascination that drags everyone in. Even though I did not participate due to, as previously mentioned, the fear or creating misunderstandings and arguments, I did read the article(s), because, the curiosity is always an enticing little mermaid. And, after all, that was the purpose of those apps and communities,  to share one's thoughts about a certain topic.

But for me, so many of those articles were filled with superficiality, misjudgement, desire to stand out and had nothing to do with the main thing.
I felt like I was dragged further down and deep into that whirl hole of moving sands. Even though I stayed still, didn't post anymore, didn't comment anymore, I'd still click that button, go in the apps and read the many articles people posted. It was becoming like a drug. I knew it wasn't good for me yet I'd want more. 

Maybe the fact that I put time and effort in writing some articles myself and building a reputation had a part in my not leaving those apps.
But all that was taking away (what's worse, it was all with my consent) one of my hobbies, one of the things that made me who I am today and I'm not sure I want to give it up just yet, if ever, to be honest.
I decided to leave those apps; no, those communities. For now I just hid the apps from my sight (the lingering thought of that wretched reputation and hours spent on writing is still alive for now). I will, most probably delete them soon. 

Maybe, most certainly, I'm not one made to share my hobbies with others in the form they want it to. Maybe the age gap is making its presence known. Maybe, growing up with these hobbies alone is what stops me from engaging in conversations, arguments or whatever else.
Maybe I like the darkness that surrounds my sunk head. Maybe I like the warmth of my bubble.

Of course there still are some very few people I share my hobbies with and with whom I chat often, but as far as being the member of a kpop pr kdrama community goes, I don't think it's my cup of tea. I wish it were, since I do like to share my thoughts and hear other people's impressions and ideas about certain topics but seeing as the outcome of it leads to more frustration than pleasant times, it is something I shall, for now, stay away from. 

Should I talk about some of the topics that made me walk away from these communities? Would you think they're something worth disccusing about? What are some of the things that you find bothersome and frustrating in the kpop and kdrama communities?

Keep smiling and have a wonderful day!

Kpop Reviews nr.4  Winner - Baby Baby

After more than a year (17 months to be more specific) of keeping their fans waiting, Winner came back with style. They delivered not one but three music videos and a mini album to which they personally contributed in terms of composition and music arrangement. The group’s new mini album “EXIT: E” was released on February 1 at midnight KST.

From what it seems the album EXIT will be split into 4 parts, similar to Big Bang's MADE album, the difference, so far, consisting in Winner having 3 music videos instead of the 2 Big Bang had. YGE seems to have found another key to success regarding fan-service and keeping their idols in the spotlight. 

Both “Baby Baby” and “Sentimental” were written by members Nam Taehyun, Song Mino and Lee Seunghoon, and Nam Taehyun composed and arranged both the tracks. Nam Taehyun also wrote and co-composed his solo track “I’m Young". 
The E part of the "EXIT" album brings to front Nam Taehyun as its main character. Even if the other members are present; the story seems to focus on Taehyun this time around, which makes me hope that the other members will get to have their own spotlight as well in the coming parts.

I will talk about the songs in the order they appear in the album so, without further ado, here's my take on Winner's "Baby Baby" music video.

MUSIC
The music for this song is a mellow 4/4 beat (largetto) with soft instrumentals that alternate into a seamless line. There are clear but not blatant blues, gospel and country music influences that help carry the message of the lyrics all the more easily into the listener's heart. The fusion between the '70s gospel dominant line and clear punctuated singing style brings together a refreshing, full sound. 
The backbone of this song are the Hammond organ and the electric guitar that always intertwine and support each other, the percussion holding it all together flawlessly and not at all bothering or rough. 
The dominating word for this song is "mellow", mellow tempo, mellow singing, mellow playing of the accompanying instruments. Nothing in this song screams for attention or jumps out as being the "main character". 
The song opens up with Taehyun singing the chorus, the instruments following after for a soft intro of the song's colours. The verse is softly brought by Jinwoo's clear voice and Seungyeon's raspy tone who's combination isn't at all random, their voices blending in really well together.
After another chorus, shared this time by Taehyun and Seungyeon, comes the rap segment in which Minho and Seunghoon both deliver an almost whispered, at first, sang rap (which is quite difficult and tricky to deliver without proper training). Their different rapping styles are brought together by the light singing rap, the lyrics being well chosen for both of them with Minho rapping the slightly more sad part, his deep, whispering voice seeming a good choice for that particular part. SeungHoon's rap is flawless and, even though his pronunciation is strong and the words are well understood, the delivery is depleted of harshness being one that does carry the message of sadness.
After another chorus we find the bridge interpreted this time by Taehyun and Seungyeon who, bringing a slightly stronger tone and a louder voice, carry the listener to the final chorus followed by an outro and a conclusion.
This song is more of a "feeling" rather than a "messages" filled song, the repetitive melodic line filled with the "baby, baby" leitmotif putting emphasis on the delivery of the dominant feeling of loneliness. The slight discrepancy between the lyrics, action in the music video and melodic line makes the song slightly more heart-wrenching and more difficult to discard, showing, in the end that the major tonality which makes the song sound chirpier and the actions of the guys are at opposing poles to their true feelings which they cannot discard; the need to overcome or, at least, forget the loneliness being overwhelming.
Even though Taehyun's voice is often heard in the song, the singing distribution is equal, none of the members coming out short of being less important. 

IMAGE/FASHION/STYLE
Winner’s fashion in this music video is, as was with their other two videos, a casual look, thus remaining constant to their already set image. This time around though, the members are sporting also some elegant and, most probably, expensive items that come to support the story of the video. Winner showed a laid-back, simple, yet elegant image that would put emphasis on them as individuals and not an image set to shock and divert the eyes away from the singers.None of them wear flashy, out of place items of clothing, yet they manage to look sleek and possibly give a hint of their personalities through their chosen looks. 

The image they went for was a normal man's one, a man who, like every other person out there has his ups and downs no matter the clothes he’s wearing.
Fashion wise, the colors chosen for their clothes were white, black, grey, blue and darker tones that would easily compliment the general message of the lyrics. The fashion was very well chosen for this song, not taking the focus away from the song, but complimenting it, completing it, adding to the feeling and the story of the song.
The style Winner chose in this MV is a mature style, a style they got their fans used to from the start which also sets them apart from other groups. I don’t know if each member was left to choose what they wanted to wear, but I’d like to think so. This would only serve as an accent on their individual personalities rather than their personality as a group (I'm sure they weren't left alone though). Yet, the colours chosen brought them together giving the viewer the feeling of a group, of a whole.


LYRICS
The story here is a very simple and a all too common one. Feeling lonely. The lyrics keep showing a man who’s trying his best to run away from the loneliness that’s slowly eating at him. Yet, he fails and, even when he does meet someone, the loneliness is still his best companion.
The lyrics portray the man’s need of human touch, human interaction, even if with a stranger, just so there would be a connection again. This need becomes even stronger when the realisation that a mere touch from a stranger isn’t enough but it only serves as a channel to deepen the loneliness and the need for a real connection to and with someone who would know even the deepest secrets of him and who could reach out and save the man from his saddened loneliness. The habit and the familiar surroundings only serve to remind of this ever present loneliness and that no matter what he tries, for now, the man is still alone. Also, as seen in the MV, after the intro with Winner presenting the rookie award, there’s the thought that maybe, the lyrics are in reference to them being absent for so long that maybe their fans forgot about them, the fear being justifiable and reasonable.
ENGLISH – The English used in the song is noticeable yet very few words are used. The pronunciation is good, logically inserted and used within the phrasing of the full lyrics giving the song continuity and ease of understanding. A huge THANK YOU! to all the translators out there that took the time to translate there lyrics). I give them a 5 out of 5 for their use of English in this song.

MUSIC VIDEO

This is a very well made video, in which the actions, surroundings and general story is really well connected to the lyrics (I don’t really understand the cat at the beginning, but...oh, well).

The video begins with Winner shown on TV, tablets, and other media devices presenting “The New artist” award, an award that a year before Winner themselves were receiving. There’s a hint of nostalgia and probably frustration at the thought that they were gone from the spotlight for so long and, one can’t help but make the connection that, maybe, the lyrics are referring to this subject as well. A moment later, we see Taehyun exiting what seems to be a hotel (I can only guess here) and, with the help of a security guard who keeps away the journalists, he gets on an luxury car.

We see Jinwoo in an elegant bar, Minho in what seems to be his apartment, Seungyeon who is all alone and Seunghoon at a party. 

Neither of them seem to be truly enjoying themselves, the only one smiling being Seunghoon for some brief moments. 

Seungyeon, Seunghoon and Jinwoo are seen drinking alcohol which serves to show them as mature, adult men and also to portray the image of them drowning their sorrow. There’s a slight transition to Taehyun being alone at home, playing his guitar after which we see Minho trying to contact someone, Seunghoon drinking to the point where all faces look the same to him, not that it truly matters to him. 

They all try to evade being lonely the best they can, by going to meet new people, attending parties in clubs and playing dare games with strangers, calling whomever who would be willing to come just so that there’s the feeling of human warmth.

Even Taehyun who is alone at home is seen trying his best to do whatever just so that his remain hidden and there’s no need for him to face his demons. 

In the end, they all are alone, all their attempts of making the loneliness go away being in vain. The fireworks at the nearing end of the video is what gets all the guys’ attention and that seems to be maybe the only moment when they don’t feel as lonely. The video ends with Taehyun boarding a plane for, probably, Canada where his girlfriend or ex-girlfriend is.

All in all, “Baby Baby” is a very well written musical piece that is accompanied by an equally great video. I never had the feeling I was watching some people act but I honestly felt as if I was being shown bits and pieces of someone’s life as it is. I recommend this song and music video to everyone. This is another quality music that we should all enjoy.