TVXQ's Something MV

EEEH! EXCUSE ME I'M INCOHERENT RIGHT NOW!

SO SO SO SO GOOOOD. I LOVE IT!!!!!!

I am not a music expert so I won't even give a review of the technical aspect of the song, but I've been humming the chorus since the trailer came out about a  week ago. I love it, and I can't even put my finger on what makes it soooo good. It's catchy, and it sounds different from what they've released in the past. But it's still so TVXQ!

I am totally blown away by YunHo's voice in this song OMG. I know he can sing, but in this song he really shines! The voices of these two blend so beautifully I just want to cry. My favorite boys are back and they're going to slay everyone okay. (Maybe, I don't know. Haha.) ChangMin looks so awkward around the girls but he just killllllls the song. And in the process, killing me. ILOVEYOU.

It's a very apt title song for their 7th album (or 10th year album! whichever works I guess), because it shows all their strengths as a duo. They take one genre and make it their own. That's what they've been good at these past ten years, and they continue to prove it. I can't wait to hear the whole album. I'll probably cry buckets once it drops in the market but I don't care.

What a great way to start the new year. Thank you SM for giving us a music video that exceeds our expectations. The costumes are so loud but I don't mind. I just can't wait to see the live performances of this song!

THE CHOREOGRAPHY! THE OUTFITS! THE HAIRSTYLE! THEIR VOICEEEEEES! EVERYTHINGGGG!

I'll probably die but who cares about that right now.

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! Let's watch this music video on repeat, shall we? :)

10 Amazing Years With 동방신기

I've been thinking how I should start and write this blog post. How can I possibly compress in one single entry all the memories of the past ten years? Be it a trial or an achievement, everything that happened makes up for TVXQ and where they stand in the KPOP world.

The boys and the fans have went through some crazy shit. Heck, we've been dubbed as the craziest and most obsessive fandom. The group has some of the wildest (glue poisoning from anti-fans! sasaengs!) and biggest controversies (breakup! hiatus!) in the industry. But it has been ten years since they made their debut, and we're still going strong. And frankly, we have more extremely high moments than lows. There's no stopping TVXQ, and there's no stopping us, fans, from supporting them and seeing them through.

I was excited and nervous for today because it's not just TVXQ's 10th year anniversary, but it also reminds me how I've been a fan for a decade. So excuse me if this post gets a little emotional, because there's no holding back in the emotion when it comes to my boys. I wept a little last night while spamming on Twitter, because it's overwhelming to look back at the roller coaster-like 10 years of my life with them. I'm no longer as obsessive as my 14-year-old self but I still love them with all my heart. I no longer save every picture, vote in every poll, panic at every controversy, and get butt hurt for every criticism thrown at them. But I can still be pretty rabid when it comes to them. I can get overly emotional at times.



It all started with Hug, of course. Wearing cute high uniforms and being obviously nervous, they started their careers as artists who aren't just pure visuals but exuding with talent as well. They started the new era of idol groups that continue to grow even now.

JaeJoong, YooChun, and JunSu may be performing under a different group name now, but it's still the anniversary of their debut. I've always been confused where I stand in this whole debacle, but I can't deny my love for these three after all these years. They're still JYJ from 東方神起 for me. I am an OT5 in the sense that I love the 5, even though I've long accepted that only two people perform under the name of DBSK now. The magic they created with their music is undeniable. Their ballad, a capellas, and SMPs are what made me the fangirl that I am right now. I can't settle for any less.

No words can express how thankful I am. I was just a kid when I first met them, and I'm now a working adult. I grew up with them, and I can't imagine them occupying a smaller space in my heart. Or even imagine any other group replacing them. A part of who I am as a person, and not just as a fan, was greatly influenced of all the life lessons I acquired from being a TVXQ fan. Because I don't just learn from them as artists, but also as individuals with really amazing virtues.

They were the ones who got me through high school, when I wanted to quit school and when no one believed in my passion (writing!). They were the ones who cheered me up in college when I was stressed from all the schoolwork. They are the ones who give me strength when I'm tired of working. They're the constant reminder that hard work pays off. And everytime they mention Cassiopeia, I have this delusion that they're directly talking  to me. I know that when they say Cassiopeia, they mean each and every fan.

"We still have parts that are lacking but when we see Cassiopeia and others who love us, cheer for us we gain a lot of strength."

- ChangMin (October 14, 2006)

But today, I specially thank YunHo and ChangMin for continuing the name of TVXQ. When they made their comeback as a duo, they gave Cassies everywhere so much hope. They had bigger shoes to fill and a bigger space to occupy. They carried so much weight in their shoulders, but they carried it so well for us. Thank you for making me so proud everytime you stand on stage.

CassPH said it well. YH and CM made TVXQ our home, where fans and JYJ alike can come back anytime. I'm actually one of the returning fans. (I came back when they came back.) It was only made possible because YH and CM made the decision to stay and to come back as the kings. They had so much to prove, and they also proved every criticism wrong. So thank you. Thank you for being our rock in this sometimes displeasing and chaotic fandom.

Cassiopeia is still a mess, but today, we all stand together to celebrate a milestone. We have reached ten years, and I have no reason to doubt that we can reach a decade or so more. You're only starting, and for the next few years, I believe that you guys will continue to grow as artists and masters of your craft. You may branch out in acting and variety, and rest assured Cassiopeia will be 100% behind you.

Cassiopeia, like for the past ten years, will travel this road with you. Just like how you've been protecting us and making us happy for the past decade, we will stay by your side, through all ups and downs. If the past ten years isn't enough proof that we can, then I don't know what is.

Thank you, 동방신기.

From the bottom of my fangirl heart, 사랑해요~ ♥(✿ฺ´∀`✿ฺ)ﾉ

YunHo and ChangMin are TVXQ. ♥

Tohoshinki's Tone Tour

I finally got to watch Tohoshinki's Tone concert last night! I first saw snippets of it during one of CassPH's gatherings, and I'd been wanting to watch the entire thing. I'm a happy banana and I want to watch it again and again and again! I've been listening to their Toho songs all day, actually.

There are many words to describe YunHo and ChangMin and one of them is earnest. You can see it in every dance, feel it in every song they sing. You can sense how earnest they are every time they step onstage. With every punch in the air and every note belt out. It's a delight to watch the two because you know how much they enjoy what they do. It's just amazing to see them achieve so much, and still appreciate all the good things, no matter how little, happening to them. Their performances are always heartfelt.

I still get a bit emotional everytime they sing an old song, any song that's originally sung by 5. But I accept it now. I now accept that Tohoshinki are YunHo and ChangMin. DBSK are YunHo and ChangMin. It's okay, I love them still. Maybe even more.

I love the new Tohoshinki and I love their new songs. Frankly, I love how we see so much growth from them. They show more range in singing now. Because it's just two of them who have to fill up the stage, they learn to compensate. Singing Rising Sun with just two people is no joke, okay! My sister wonders how I manage to stay as a big fan from the start till now. I don't know, too. But I'm glad I do.

My chances of watching a Tohoshinki concert in Japan is close to zero, and that's okay. I can settle with just watching them on my laptop screen. Or a smart TV if I'd ever get rich enough. I can just always buy the concert DVD that I'm still quite far from finished collecting. But I'll get there, I'll make sure of that. I just can't wait to get my hands on the Time Tour DVD!

I have a lot of feelings when it comes to talking about these two. I get a bit sad when I realize that I only have one friend who actually gets what I'm talking about. Though I've been in this fandom for almost ten years (I grew up with them!), I didn't really make lasting online friendships with other fans. So basically, I'd love to have more online (and real life!) Cassie friends! Hehe.

/le sigh

I love these two so much I don't know how to end this post without sounding too sappy. So I'll just end it here because it gets a tad dramatic. Good night folks. :)

WE ARE T!

[ENG SUBS] KBS's Cool Kiz on the Block

Title: Cool Kiz on the Block

Alternative title: Our Neighborhood's Masters

MCs: Kang HoDong, Shim ChangMin, Lee SuGeun

Let's start with a disclaimer: I DID NOT SUB THESE VIDEOS. :)

As much as I want to sub them, I do not know enough Korean. Haha. Anyway, here's a compilation of all the subbed episodes out there. I'm just hoping that they'll continue to sub this, or at least continue to upload the subbed one from KBSWorld.

So far so good! It's a lot more entertaining the now defunct Moonlight Prince, but then again, this is really more like a variety show than the other one. I'm happy that it's gaining good ratings every week! If you're looking for a new variety show to watch, give this a shot. :)

• Episode 1: Part 1 | Part 2 (table tennis)
• Episode 2: Full (table tennis)
• Episode 3: Full (table tennis)
• Episode 4: Full (table tennis)
• Episode 5: Full (table tennis)
• Episode 6: Full (bowling)
• Episode 7: Full (bowling) The First Away Game: Cool Kiz vs Wolseon United
• Episode 8: Full (bowling) Cool Kiz vs Wolseon United
• Episode 9: Full (bowling) Hardcore training
• Episode 10: Full (bowling) Cool Kiz vs Dolseon Heroes
• Episode 11: Full (bowling) Cool Kiz vs Shinhwa
• Episode 12: Full (bowling) The Second Away Game
• Episode 13: Full (bowling) The Last Bowling Match
• Episode 14: Full (badminton) Badminton School with 2PM
• Episode 15: Full (badminton) First Badminton Match
• Episode 16: Full (badminton) Practice
• Episode 17: Full (badminton) Second Badminton Match

(Last update 08/17/13)

I'll update this once new subbed episode comes out.

Cool Kiz hwaiting! :)

I'm liking the chemistry of these three. :)

Tidbits: That Winter, Tohoshinki's Time, and Other Fangirl Stuff

I've been a bad blogger lately. I've been watching tons of Asian flicks but haven't blogged even one. Not that I've been lazy, it's just that work has been stressful! But I will work on rants and raves about those movies later this week (more like next week, tbh). For the meantime, I decided to start this series in which I talk about the things I'm into. I don't do that much blogging, but I certainly haven't been lazy on the watching part of being a fangirl.

Behind the scenes of That Winter

That Winter the Wind Blows has me captivated. When I started watching this drama, I suddenly shoved Flower Boy Next Door to the side because TWWB is just so compelling. I usually hate spoilers but since I already watched Love Me Not (the movie version of this drama!), I already know what's going to happen in the end. I'm pretty sure my hoping and pining for a happier ending will be futile but I continue to hope and pine anyway.

Jo InSung's first drama after his military service is proving to be a hit in the ratings. It's also the comeback drama of Song HyeGyo and I can say that they made a good choice. The drama has a pretty tight plot, amazing writing, strong cast, and jaw-dropping cinematography. I think KimBum's too strong an actor to play a second lead, though, and I'm definitely not a fan of EunJi here. But overall, this is my favorite 2013 drama so far, not that I've watched a lot.

Also, the last episode I watched (ep. 9!) disappointed me a bit. But it still has my heart and I cannot wait for the next episode.

Tohoshinki's latest album T/ME is amazing! I'm no expert when it comes to music but their album is all I listen to lately. Since I've been a fan of DBSK since their debut, it used to irk me when they promote in Japan more. I wasn't a fan of their earlier Japanese singles. It was only after the split that I had a suddent appreciation for their Japanese songs. And from TONE, I realized that their Japanese albums are really miles better than their Korean ones.

So I had high expectations for T/ME and I'm glad to report that they're well met.

It took me a while to warm up to some songs but after hearing it the third time, I'm hooked! Fated threw me off a bit because it reminded me of Tri-Angle and even O Jung Ban Hap for it's epicness and grandiosity. But after a few more listens, I decided that it's tons better. Somehow, I cannot listen to the album without listening to it first.

My favorite songs are the mid-tempo ones because they make me so darn happy for weird reasons! Aitakute Aitakute Tamaranai has been my LSS for the past couple of days because come on, Aitakute is repeated a million times in the song! But it's really rather catchy. One More Thing is another upbeat happy song that I'd probably listen when I'm down. Some don't like In Our Time saying that it's pretty but boring, but I think just listening to would make you appreciate it more. And I've been listening to it a lot and it's niiiiice. Of the new songs, One and Only One is my favorite, and not just because it's ChangMin's favorite track, too, okay.

But of course, I Know will forever be my favorite ballad of theirs. After they released the PV for the song a couple of months ago, I've been listening to it everyday and I still haven't tired of it. 

Tohoshinki is breaking their own records and making new ones. They're topping the Oricon charts and soon, they'll start their five-dome tour in Japan! I'm so happy with what they've achieved, and I know that they deserve it!

P.S. I cannot wait to get my own copy of the album!

P.P.S. ChangMin is so adorable on King's Brunch! If you haven't seen it yet, watch it here!

Last November, Lee MinHo went to the Philippines as a Bench endorser for some fan meeting and meet and greet. I had a couple of interactions with him and definitely one of the highlights of my 2012! Seeing the amazing Daejang in person is too precious a memory okay!

Recently, Bench  released a DVD of the LMH's visit to country. Though I do not have a copy of the said DVD, someone uploaded a clip online. To my surprise, I was in the video! Though my friends and family are laughing at me for being such a fangirl and getting caught in the act, I am actually quite proud, okay.

Below's my mini appearance. You can see me at 00:53. I'm the smiling girl behind Lee MinHo. It was in the arrival area of NAIA and I have blogged about that little experience over here.

Hohohoho. This reminds me, I haven't written about the Bench Fun Meet and Meet-and-greet! Must work on that soon. Gah, my backlog is killing me.

CNBLUE's Blue Moon Tour poster

It's confirmed that CNBLUE will have a concert in the Philippines on June, and my friends and I have been waiting for the ticket prices to be revealed. All this waiting is killing me because I really have to know how much it'll be so I can start saving! I've seen them perform live last June and I just want to see them again! Though I cannot say that I'm a Boice, I'm a big big big big fan of their music! In the KPOP world, it's safe to say that they're my second bias!

Yes, the exclamation points are necessary because I AM THAT EXCITED!

I will miss you, Prince Shim!

On a sadder note, Moonlight Prince aired their last episode last Tuesday. I am really sad about this because ChangMin's doing so well! It's just a literature variety program isn't something that the general public would like to see, so I'm not surprised with the low ratings.

I've been incredibly happy to see ChangMin doing so well, and I've taken a fancy with the other MCs. I don't find it boring, too! It's just a lot more subdued than other variety shows. /le sigh

But I guess it's all for the better since ChangMin will be busy with their Japan tour this April. But I will definitely miss Prince Shim and the other not-so-young Princes.

Watch his farewell message here.

Wow, this post is longer than planned. I guess I can never keep my comments and rants short! haha. I promise to work on my movie reviews, but it will probably take me a week to post it!

Obviously the best way to end this post x

#26thPrinceShimDay

Dear Prince Shim,

I've been celebrating your birthday for almost a decade, and every time, I still don't know what to say. You have grown from the quiet boy who hides behind his hyungs to someone who's already brave and talkative enough to be a variety show MC. I'm not sure how many times I've said this but I am so proud of you, just like the way a mother feels proud for his son. Ha. But really, just thinking about how much you've grown and changed (for the better! a lot better) makes me feel a tad too emotional so I won't even go there.

I do know that your strength of character came with a price, and I do know that at the end of the day, you know that it's all worth it. It makes me happy just to think that even though you went through so many trials a young man in his 20's shouldn't even go through, you thread on and emerged victorious. I am happy to see you widen your circle of friends because I know that you may have went through some friendship trouble in the past, but you're still willing to let people in. 

I wish you success in every endeavor, and I wish the highest ratings for your variety show. But honestly, I just want you to have fun. You're young, and I know that you always say that you want a normal life. But it's still a relief to see that you're finally having a bit of fun and laughter in the limelight.

I wish you more creative freedom and artistic license in creating good music with your hyung, of course.  TVXQ is YunHo and ChangMin, and detractors may say otherwise but I wish you more strength in proving how much power the two of you hold. I'm sure that this year will be an amazing year for TVXQ. Whatever you want to make happen this year, just want you to know that us, fans, will be 100% behind you. 

Thank you for making me laugh and smile all the time.  You may be the snarky maknae but you're still a delight to watch and see. Thank you for never doing things just because it's easy, for standing behind your principles, and for not losing yourself in the crowd. You're really someone I look up to. You have no idea how you always brighten my day, especially when stress from work and from my daily life gets a bit too much to handle. 

Your music will always be a source of inspiration. You will always be my inspiration. 

Happy 26th birthday, Prince Shim. I love you forever, Shim ChangMin.  

Love, Jane 

ChangMin on Moonlight Prince

So let's talk about how amazing ChangMin is on Moonlight Prince. We all had our worries about his hosting since he's pretty quiet when he's around people he's not close to. But I think we undermined him a bit because he's a grown man now and been in the business for over a decade. I think by now he can interact comfortably with anyone if he wants to. He just chooses not to keep quiet when YunHo hyung's around and let him have all the spotlight.

Then the first episode came out and he's being the snarky and blabbermouth and evil maknae that we all love. *huggles* Seriously, I am smiling like a fool because sheesh, he just went on and on blabbering on his co-MCs. Heehee. But I love how they bully him as well. \o/ When Kang HoDong teased him about his rebellion, I died. He really is a prince, isn't he? Haha.

Also, I know that people are worried that he might be tiring out himself way too much. But it's work and I just think that he enjoys it now. The things he do. He's not the old ChangMin who hates showbiz. You can clearly see that he loves what he's doing now, and I'm pretty sure that even if he's tired, it's all worth it.

Now, I'm just waiting for someone to regularly sub all the episodes of Moonlight Prince and not just ChangMin's parts! But for now, let's all be happy that someone is subbing his parts.

For more subbed ChangMin cuts on Moonlight Prince, head over to hyunsyajoon's Youtube channel! Thank you~

9 Years of Being Gods of the East

For the past 9 years, five boys have been continuing to inspire me through their passion and music. They're the five boys who introduced me to KPOP, and they're pretty much the main reason why I stayed. They may be in two groups now, but I'll always consider the three as inactive members of TVXQ. Hee. This is such a tricky situation since I know that ChangMin and YunHo are the only ones performing as TVXQ, but I cannot not consider JaeJoong, YooChun and JunSu as TVXQ, too. I knew them as 5 and the magic that the five of them created is impossible to forget!

Being in this fandom is not easy, really not easy. People will always ask you who are you talking about when you say TVXQ. Homin or DB5K? I am often left speechless because I do not know myself. I have never seen so much war go on in a fandom. Just look at any comment section on their Youtube videos and you'd be disheartened at how the fans talk to other fans. The boys never wanted us to fight. Divided Cassiopeia is a sad sight to see especially if you know how amazing and powerful this fandom can be if united.

But these five individuals have proven time and time again why it's all worth it. Why all this hoping and waiting and believing is worth it. All the support and time and love we give them, they repay by being one of the humblest and most talented idols in the business. They will always be the gods of KPOP for me. And since the 23rd of December on 2003, they have been making their fans proud of them. I know I'll always be proud of them. Always.

It's their singing that got into this whole emotional business called fangirling. I have no regrets, though. I can never put into words why I love them so I'll just let the following videos speak for themselves. I think these are the videos that fully show their talent and color as a group.

Stand By U

The Secret Code, 2009

Love in the Ice

~T~ Tour 2008

Why Did I Fall in Love With You

A-Nation 2008

Tonight

Mirotic Concert in Seoul, 2009

Purple Line

A-Nation 2008

Hug (Acapella)

Five in the Black, 2007

Mirotic

KBS, I do not know the year, prolly 2009 

I have no idea when I'll see the five of them perform on the same stage again. Heck, just even seeing them on the same broadcast seems to be too far-fetched. But I will not lose hope. They may not come back as TVXQ and the five of them may not perform as Dong Bang Shin Ki, a fellow fan once said that they could still perform as as JYJHM and I'll take that! :)

And now, for the two people who decided to continue the name of Dong Bang Shin Ki, who proves all detractors that they can survive as two, here's a message for you:

I respect your decision and people may always give you not enough credits for what you do, but us, Cassies will support you despite it all. We believe in your passion and your talent, and some people may think otherwise, but you are strong individuals who give your 100% in everything you do, and I love you. I love you as much as my fangirl heart can possibly allow me to.

To leader-sshi and the snarky maknae, I will always, always be your fan. I might have been inactive during the hiatus but I'm back now. And I don't think I'm going anywhere else. Just be your perfect selves and I'm pretty it will be pretty easy to stay as a fan. I have easily done it all these years, and I see no reason to stop. You have grown over the past two years and I know the battles you faced (and are still facing) only toughen you and make you such strong individuals. I am pretty sure that you can take on anything and I'm also pretty sure that we, fans, will always be behind everything you do.

And to the three who I'm pretty sure still want to be TVXQ, we are waiting. The lawsuit is now over and we are waiting for you. I could only wish the very best for you. And I don't care whatever group name you perform in because you, JaeJoong, YooChun, and JunSu, will always be one of the five Koryans that will be closest to my heart. I believe in your music and I'm pretty sure that someday, you'll  one day once again stand on stage and face broadcast.

Happy 9th anniversary, TVXQ.

And when I say I am keeping my faith, I only mean I believe that you will one day perform as five, and it doesn't even matter if you call yourselves as TVXQ or just be a nameless band. It doesn't matter. I believe in your music, and most of all, I believe in your friendship.❤

DBSK on Running Man

So who got excited when the news leaked out that DBSK would be a guest on Running Man? Me. Who got extremely disappointed after watching the episode? Me. Who cannot get over her disappointment? Me. Who wants DBSK to go back to Running Man and have a better nametag-ripping game? Me.

From this alone, you can see how sad I am over the episode. Haha! But for very shallow reasons, though. I love Running Man and it's the only variety show I watch regularly. (I haven't watched all episodes but I'm planning to watch all in the near future!) So when I learned that DBSK would be guesting for the second time this month, I was beyond ecstatic. I devoured every piece of information and fan-taken photos I could find weeks before it aired. Then I watched the episode and somehow, I realized that it's not up to par with other episodes. I don't blame it on the boys, though. A part of me actually feels like there's some sort of minor injustice. HAHA! Don't think I ended up hating Running Man after the DBSK episode because you're wrong! I still love the show.

There are parts I loved and parts that are meh. So let's start with the little things that made me smile and laugh.

[Disclaimer: There are tons of spoilers below the cut. Also, I'm a Cassie and a big ChangMin bias so you know what to expect.]