Source: http://www.theloop.com.au/Versus/portfolio/Director/Sydney

When people talk about Kpop, granted, it’s usually about the idols.  But some people equate Kpop  with idol groups, and then conclude that they lack talent, and as a result, do not make “real” music like non-idols do.  However,  both idol and non-idol artists are a part of Kpop, and they have more in common than you may think.

One’s identity as an idol group can be a point of contention.   M.I.B. insists in an allkpop article:   “We’re not an idol group, and we want to prove this simply with our skill and expertise. We want to show you that we know how to have a good time on stage.” Aware of the negative perception some have of idol groups, Junsu of JYJ maintains in a Han Cinema article:  ”"We are guaranteed to try many different things because we are an idol group. Some are trying to escape the image of an idol group because people tend to have a prejudice that idol groups have a lack of talent in music, but we want to show a whole new image of idol groups by showing that idols can have excellent music ability.” Both groups respond to perceptions about idol groups.

But what is the difference between an idol artist and a non-idol artist?  Idol groups, including BigBang, TVXQ!, 2NE1, MBLAQ, BEAST, Super Junior and SHINee, share certain charateristics that cause others to label them as idol groups.  They all are graduates of  a training system used by many Korean agencies, but pioneered by the former chair of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man.  Han Cinema refers to what Lee calls “the methods that we use when selecting and nurturing aspiring singers into real gems,” culture technology:    ”CT includes not only the broad system itself but also the techniques we use to make music, choreography, music videos, live performances and even the stars’ makeup.”  As a result of this training, idol groups not only record albums and make music videos, but they also engage in a wide array of other activities, including:

MC-ing,

Eunhyuk and Leeteuk MC-ing SBS Awards

photoshoots,

TVXQ! at ElleGirl Photo Shoot

appearances on Korean televisions shows,

Shinhwa on Happy Together

appearances in their own reality shows,

Infinite on Sesame Player

stints as ambassadors,

2AM as Ambassadors for 2012 World Conservation Congress

Source: http://www.wkpop.com/2011/11/2am-initiated-as-ambassadors-for-2012.html

and spokespersons for a variety of products.

Kim Hyun Joong for The Face Shop

Source: http://koreangossipgirl.com/kim-hyun-joong-ss501-official-comeback-schedule-june-1-june-15-2011/

Because these activities give them greater exposure, idols are the face that many people see when they encounter Kpop.  But the very training that allows them to engage in these various pursuits is the very thing some people point to as evidence of their inferiority, their “fakeness.”    In a seoulbeats roundtable, Young-Ji suggests that they have limited careers:  ”All the idol group members from the 2000s are currently nobodies — either that, or they’re trying to make something out of themselves — take a look at all the members of H.O.T., Sechs Kies, S.E.S., Fin.K.L; with the exception of only a few members and perhaps Shinhwa, it’s difficult for idols to redefine themselves.”  Nabeela, of the same roundtable, suggests the limited careers are related to a perceived lack of talent:   “Young’ins will always try to become idols due their lust for that glamor. On the other hand, serious musicians and artists know how fickle idol glamor can be, and I think they make an honest effort to differentiate.” Both imply that Kpop idols work hard to be temporary, fake artists, unlike “serious musicians.”

However, these are sweeping generalizations that are challenged by looking closer at idols.   Former idols continue to work using their talents honed by the training process.  For example,  three of the four former  members of Fin.K.L. are actively working.  Lee Hyori did a photo shoot for Ceci as recently as November of last year. Ok Joo Hyun starred in the successful Kdrama The Musical just last year, and will star with Junsu (of JYJ and formerly of TVXQ!) in the German musical Elisabeth. Sung Yu Ri frequently stars in successful Kdramas, including Hong Gil Dong (2008), Swallow the Sun (2009) and Romance Town (2011).  Kangta, Tony An, Moon Hee Joon and Jang Woo Hyuk of H.O.T. still make appearances and are still active musically through collaobrations with newer artists.  Kangta has assumed some administrative duties at SM Entertainment, thereby remaining active on the business side of Kpop.

Well, if idols are just talentless hacks, their non-idol counterparts are the talented underdogs of Kpop, or so the logic goes.   They are seen as more serious and more talented.  They are “real” artists who are not idols.  Jeon Jin Woo compares idols to airplanes and non-idols to chickens:

Entertainment companies select would-be singers based on their visual appearances; hence, someone who sings really well has a low possibility of becoming an idol singer if his/her looks are not good. This is why many talented, prospective and new singers go through difficult times. These people are often unable to live as flying birds (successful singers) but are only continuing their heavy flap of wings as chickens. . . .  Idols are not singers. The definition of a singer is a person or a musician who uses his/her voice to create and express music. According to the definition above, idol ‘singers’ cannot be singers. Idols put more effort on their appearances and dance skills. Furthermore, many of them do not have the ability to create their own music. What is more, singers should be able to convey a song’s melody, lyrics, and its embedded emotions to the audience.

But is there a great difference between idols and non-idols, especially when it comes to talent? There is far less distance between the two than one might think.  First, idols can be found singing some decidedly non-idol songs that show their vocal range.  Here is Onew of SHINee getting his disco on in his rendition of the Bee Gees‘ How Deep Is Your Love:

Onew has a penchant for taking the vocal path less traveled, as demonstrated by his performance of Puccini’s Nesseun Dorma:

Not only do idols sing things you woudn’t expect them to sing, they sing them well.  They have singing talent, and this is something that they share with non-idols.

Take 4Men, R&B group known for their vocal stylings, as an example. (seoulbeats considers them to be an idol group, but I do not. We can talk about why later).

4Men, Knocking

But 4Men know idol songs and dances.   Witness members of 4Men do their best impression of SNSD’s Oh!

That’s not the kind of choreography you get just by passing by the television while the video is on.  You have to study that. 4Men also covered Big Bang’s Love Song, a song by another idol group:

Non-idols sing idol songs, and vice versa.  Here is SHINee’s Jonghyun singing Wheesung‘s Insomnia:

While Jonghyun is known for being a member of the group SHINee, Wheesung is not known for being an idol.  He appears on Kpooop‘s list of Non-Idol Songs Worth Listening To.  Here is his original:

Wheesung, Insomnia

These examples suggests that idols and non-idols are part of a one large, diverse music scene.   Non-idols are quite aware of idols, and even know their songs and dances. Idols know their non-idol counterparts and appreciate their work. While they may go about their pop lives in different ways, they are both part of the Kpop scene. One is not better than the other, just different.  Fans of Kpop can and do like them both. Idols and non-idols can live peacefully together on an iPod.

Sources:

“JYJ: We Are Still Idol Group,” Han Cinema

leesa86, “M.I.B.: We Are Not an Idol Group,” allkpop

Roundtable, “What Makes an Idol?”, seoulbeats

Jeon Jin Woo, “Sky Full of Airplanes and Chickens that Cannot Fly,” KHUL

SPONJiE, Lee Hyori Transforms into Marilyn Monroe,” soompi

‘Elisabeth’ Brings Death to Life on Stage Next Month,” Han Cinema

dorkykor3an, “Moon Hee Jun and Tony Perform ‘Candy’ for MBC Lunar New Year Special (2012),” allkpop

“Kpop Non-Idol Songs Worth Listening To (Part One),” kpooop

Source: http://www.enewsworld.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1588&idxType=News&trendKeyword=Ulala%20Session

Ever so often, I like to share what’s on heavy rotation on my iPod. It isn’t always the newest thing, or the most popular thing, but for some reason this is the stuff that I’m grooving to.

What I’m Listening To

The Moon’s Fall, Ulala Session

How I Came to Listen to It

I was just browsing around on Soribada one day in the Charts section, randomly clicking on excerpts of songs, when I clicked on Ulala Session’s single, With You, which was the last song they performed on MNet’s Super Star K3, the Korean version of American Idol.  

Why I Like It

I snagged With You, but I instantly fell in LOVE what they do with Kim Hyun Chul’s The Moon’s Fall, which is on the compilation album, Superstar K3 Season 3 Top 11 Part 1.  It is definitely funky and really showcases their voices well.

Not to mention the story behind Ulala Session. Older than the typical Kpop group, they also revealed during Super Star K3 that one of their members, Lim Yoon-taek, was battling stage 4 stomach cancer, but they soldiered through to win the competition.

I also have to give props to my favorite Korean American academic, Ni’qua, for helping me find Kim Hyun Chul and the English title to his song.  Yeah, those PhDs are good for something!

Source: “Battling Cancer, Ulala Session wins ‘Superstar’” Han Cinema

What I’m Listening To

Hit Song by old skool Kpop group N.R.G.

How I Came to Listen to It

I can’t even remember. I think I was stalking around on YouTube looking for some old skool Kpop and found it.

Why I Like It

Um, ’cause it’s great! It’s got that disco vibe that I like so much. Really, it reminds you of when pop music was fun and upbeat. This is on HEAVY rotation on the iPod, as is its cousin, the “remix” on the album.

Source: http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film827063.html

Wu Xia, directed by Peter Chan and starring Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Jimmy Wang Yu, was worth the wait, and a welcome change from some of the mediocre wuxia films I’ve been seeing.

When I heard that Peter Chan was directing a movie called Wu Xia, starring Yen, Kaneshiro and Yu,  I didn’t need to hear anymore. When was the last time I saw Yu in a film? This could have been a movie with these guys playing kung fu mimes who work in an ice cream parlor for all I cared. It didn’t matter. I. was. going. to. see. it.  And not just because Yen was in it. Ok, it’s pretty clear that I’m a Donnie Yen fan, but I do have standards. (I wasn’t all happy with Ballistic Kiss.  At all.). Luckily for me, Donnie usually hits the mark here.

Here’s the thing about Wu Xia.  This is not the first film you start with as a martial arts film watcher. This is the film that you see after you’ve seen 50 billion martial arts films, because only then can you appreciate what Peter Chan does. It’s not your standard wuxia film. It’s like Peter Chan thought, “Hey, let me try something new.”

So he lulls you with the lush cinematography and the simple lifestyle of one of our protagonists, Tang Long, played by Donnie Yen. We see him doing his everyday thing: feeding the kids, going to work. We see his cow on top of his roof.  Dude makes paper for a living. How much more unassuming can he be?  Things are cool, right?

Wrong! And you know it when trouble comes walking down the street in the form of two thugs. They go into the local store where Tang Long is just minding his own business, then all heck breaks loose! In the end, we have two dead minions of trouble and a nosy, Columbo-type (look it up)  in the form of Xu Bai-Jiu (Takeshi Kaneshiro).

Now it turns into a CSI-worthy recreation of the “crime.”  Oh, really? I didn’t notice that. Or that. Or THAT! And this is where Peter Chan does something different. He, and presumably Yen, take a garden variety fight scene in a store, and turn it into a work of art. They deconstruct the fight scene by putting it in impossibly small space and slowing it down.  We’re used to fights that sprawl all over the place, but it’s good to see that craft can be bought to a small space.

But it really takes a turn for the crazy. When the second Xu shows up, it occurs to me: “Oh, you want me to think. Ok, Peter Chan.” Xu has issues all his own, and as seasoned as I am as a film watcher, I did find myself getting drawn into his paranoid delusions. Or were they?

And just when I thought I had the film well in hand, I think to myself: “Hey, isn’t Yu supposed to be in this movie?” And then he shows up. Like a boss!

Source: http://www.movieposterdb.com/poster/8657a78d

In the DVD extras, Chan says he consciously waited until 2/3s of the movie was done before unveiling The Master, whom Yu plays. It was well worth it. Um, I’m kinda scared of him. Especially when he shows up at the homestead. He’s all kind/evil grandfather to the kids.You know kids aren’t safe in Asian film. Anything could have happened!

Source: http://www.beyondhollywood.com/a-handful-of-images-from-peter-chans-wu-xia-aka-swordsmen/wuxiapic3/

Also, don’t think that the allusion to One-Armed Swordsman escaped my notice. Classic! And then another expertly choreographed fight scene occurs, again in a space that presents challenges. I love it!

The icing on the cake of contentment with this film is the townspeople. Most of the time, they are just in the background, hanging out to be hapless victims. But these townspeople are funny! They provide interesting points of comic relief. They ARE the Greek chorus, saying things that you certainly would say if you were there.

Overall, I’m pleased with Wu Xia. If I had a complaint, it would be that Chan could have joined Tang Long and Xu’s storylines more seamlessly. At one point, it seems that this could be two different films. But given what it could have been, I consider that to be a minor point.

Wu Xia? WooHoo!

Hill and Dale

In order to tell big stories, you need big surroundings.  Since many historical Kdramas revolve around the government’s struggles with people within the nation and forces outside of it, historical Kdramas give you a lot of opportunity to see what they are all fighting over:  the land. Check out these examples from Warrior Baek Dong Soo.

Source: http://thundiesprattle.com/2011/07/24/warrior-baek-dong-soo-episode-2/

Source: http://thundiesprattle.com/2011/07/24/warrior-baek-dong-soo-episode-2/

Source: http://thundiesprattle.com/2011/07/24/warrior-baek-dong-soo-episode-2/

I don’t know if it is the way they shoot it (shout out to the directors!), but these Kdramas are gorgeous. The forests are green and lush. The  mountains are majestic and even the open fields are impressive.

In addition to expansive landscapes, what would a sageuk be without a fabulous palace. These are impressive, beautiful structures that add atmosphere to all the royal goings-on. Look at the palace in Queen Seondeok!

Source: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/londone7/1/1301680191/silla-royal-palace.jpg/tpod.html

I learn that Korea has a variety of landscapes.  From mountains to bamboo groves to seasides, there are lots of different sides to the natural side of Korea.  Also, the palaces are intricate and demonstrate a high degree of artistic skill that also stands the test of time.  Korea seems to have preserved these locations for the actual and virtual public. While contemporary Kdramas make you yearn to be in a bustling modern city like Seoul, living it up in a swanky contemporary condo, sageuk make me  want to head to the country.

Living in the Past?

History was never my favorite subject, especially the kind of history that was just about names and dates.   Sageuk make history exciting, even though the writers take license with that history.  I’m not mad at that! They also tend to refer to other sageuk.  During the course of The Duo, an unknown hero starts to eliminate rich noblemen, redistribute their wealth to the poor, and leave posters about his exploits.  When the commoners talk excitedly about it, they actually say that he’s acting like Hong Gil Dong!

One of things I learn is that in order to really get the full effect of these references, its best that you watch more sageuk!

The End is the Beginning

You never start at the beginning of a story with a sageuk.  Things are always going on, so there is never really a beginning. It’s just the place where YOU come in. At the beginning, you rarely even get to see the main character(s) because, in all probability, he or she isn’t even born yet. What you start with is the parents and their generation. Serious things go on that will affect the main character later on, but you have to understand what happened before in order to understand what happens later.  These events matter because they end up affecting the main character, even though he or she has nothing to do with it.  Before Dong Soo is even born, he’s destined to die before his father is deemed a traitor.

This has taught me to pay attention. These stories do not have beginnings and endings. You are always in the middle of someone’s story.  In order to account for all the twists and turns, sageuk use a complex kind of storytelling.  It makes sense, since they often cover years and years of activity involving multiple characters.  I’ve learned to be a better listener of stories because all the details matter.

Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses

Often times, sageuk revolve around royalty, and the person who is in control is the king. But what about the ladies? There women who influence the king, but I like it when they actually get involved.  Mishil and her smile did more to change the course of events than the king ever did in Queen Seondeok.  Technically, she’s the royal consort. But she knows everything that goes on in the palace, and she is always hatching plans to get more power for herself and the men she controls. Yes, controls. They are scared of her! Not only can she put her husband, her boyfriend, and her sons by both at a table, she also has the Hwarang at her disposal.

Source: http://caffeineandphilosophy.blogspot.com/2010/07/qeen-seon-deok-initial-thoughts.html

Sometimes, it’s not even a king who is sitting on the throne.  Empress Chun Chu tells the story of Korea’s third empress. I don’t know much about her, but seeing trailers like this makes me want to know about her. Who wouldn’t be down with an empress who isn’t afraid to pick up a bow and use it?

I learn that women play a huge role in sageuk. They are good and evil, which means that they are never boring.  These women are not joking.

Historical Style

Most sageuk features elaborate costumes for royalty and nobles alike.  These outfits are complemented by elaborate hairstyles and nifty crowns, as you can see from Queen Seondeok.

Source: http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/04/all-hail-queen-seon-deok/

I learn that royalty seems partial to bling! Really, I did learn that you can tell what class a person belongs to based on the way they dress.  Sageuk teaches me how significant class was in historical Korea.  You weren’t going to advance from a lower class to a higher class, and unless you are careful, you could fall out of the noble class.  Class determines how you relate to the rest of the world: who you can call by name, from whom you can ask a favor, who you can trust. You can tell all of this just by the clothes someone wears.

It is hard being a commoner

If you are not a noble or a member of royalty, you are probably going to get the short end of the stick.  Not only may you not have adequate food and shelter and have to deal with unsavory people like thieves, you have to put up with the arrogance and whims of the upper classes.  This become real clear once nobles shatter Yong’s family in Iljimae. He goes from being a favored son and apple of his father’s eye, living a charmed life filled with art and good food, to barely being tolerated by the wife of a thief who takes him in after nobles….well, I don’t want to ruin it for you. Let’s just say that you wonder how much more this kid can take. Suffice to say, his life is rough as a commoner.

But commoners are subject to other traumatic experiences all the time.  They have to endure daily slights from the upper classes. They are also subject to unfair punishments at any time on devices such as these, like  Chil Woo’s adoptive mother and grandmother in Strongest Chil Woo.

Source: http://yeinjee.com/2010/korean-folk-village-yongin-south-korea/

What I learn is that there was very little justice for the common man (or woman).  So, it’s important when legends like Hong Gil Dong emerge or potential rulers like the son of Crown Prince Sado (Warrior Baek Dong Soo) side with the masses. Power to the people!

It is dangerous being a member of royalty

Let’s face it, being a noble or a member of royalty can be no better.  One day you’re in, the next day you’re out. Literally.  Political realities change and those who do not recognize this can be in real trouble. Some people realize they are villains and doing are doing bad things, so they aren’t surprised that they get their due in the end, like Minister Hong in Hong Gil Dong or Mi Saeng in Queen Seondeok.

Others are just collateral damage, people who have no control over what happens to them.  How many times have you seen someone’s whole family killed just based on the actions of one member?

What I learn is that being in the upper classes had its own problems. You are subject to the whims of whoever is in power. You, and your whole family too.

Patience

This is the number one thing that I learn from sageuk. On one hand, you often have to commit to 20, 30 and even 40+ episodes to see your story through.  On the other hand, you have to get through what I like to call The Childhood Years. More often than not, you literally have to watch the main character grow up: from a baby to an adult.  Big props to the younger versions of the main characters!

Young Iljimae

Source: http://coolsmurf.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/iljimae-ushers-in-romantic-plum-blossom-bliss/

Iljimae as an adult

Source: http://www.dramabeans.com/2008/09/iljimae-a-review/

Young Queen Seondeok

Source: http://koreandreamer.blogspot.com/2010/03/discovering-gyeongsangbuk-do-cheongdo_26.html

Queen Seondeok as an adult

Source: http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/10/seon-deok-stars-136k-gift-to-drama-staff/

Young Baek Dong Soo (yes, it’s the same guy who played the young Iljimae!)

Source: http://dryedmangoez.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/review-sbs-warrior-baek-dong-soo-is-a-true-heros-epic/

Baek Dong Soo as an adult

Source: http://thundiesprattle.com/2011/10/16/warrior-baek-dong-soo-episode-26/

See, watching sageuk isn’t just fun, it’s educational! (That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!)

Source: http://taicarmen.wordpress.com/category/the-role-of-the-dreamer-the-falseness-of-civilization/

Kpop is subject to a lot of criticism.  A LOT. The most repeated charge against Kpop is that it is manufactured.  But is that really true?  Usually when critics level this charge, they make sweeping generalizations about the whole landscape of pop.  In doing so, they perpetuate stereotypes about the lack of originality in Asian popular culture.

Read more at KPK: Kpop Kollective (originally published January 1, 2012)

Source: http://seolinkbuilds.com/warrior-baek-dong-soo-ost-track-08-crazy-heart-shin-jae-dl-link/

Ever so often, I like to share what’s on heavy rotation on my iPod. It isn’t always the newest thing, or the most popular thing, but for some reason this is the stuff that I’m grooving to.

What I’m Listening To

Yanoe, BMK (Big Mama King)

Yanoe, Park Eun Tae (Acoustic)

Goyeo, Shin Sung Woo

How I Came to Listen to It

These three songs were prominently featured in the Kdrama, Warrior Baek Dong Soo.

Why I Like It

Yeah, I know I’m supposed to like that Kim Tae Woo ballad, but I like these songs from the OST. I love BMK’s voice on Yanoe, and it’s not often that you get a woman singing a powerful song, as opposed to the slow, ballad number or peppy, poppy song on a Kdrama OST. It really was used well in the Kdrama also, and really supplemented key scenes.  The acoustic version by Park Eun Tae, is really nice too because it gives a completely different vibe from BMK’s version. Finally, Goyeo was another song that I really liked too. I told you, I’m contrary, I like what I like!

Source: http://thesuperjuniorhandbook.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/110914-super-junior-mr-simple-repackaged-album-a-cha-official-album-cover/

Ever so often, I like to share what’s on heavy rotation on my iPod. It isn’t always the newest thing, or the most popular thing, but for some reason this is the stuff that I’m grooving to.

What I’m Listening To

Eoneusae Urin (Good Friends), ACHA, Super Junior (2011)

How I Came to Listen to It

I found Eoneusae Urin (Good Friends) while playing Super Junior songs on shuffle in my iTunes.

Why I Like It

It’s so happy, and I think that people forget that when they are talking smack about Super Junior. It definitely has a 1970s variety show vibe, and that’s why I like it! I think I remember reading somewhere online that it is part of the setlist for Super Show 4, so whenever SuJu decides to grace the United States, I’ll be looking forward to seeing it live.

Source: http://www.mongolspace.com/pages/entertainment/movies-films.php

The Warring States (2011) fails on nearly every level it can: faulty plot, underdeveloped characters and a distinct lack of key elements of narrative. I know it’s tough, but I have to be honest. This is probably the worst historical film I’ve seen, because at least Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon had Andy Lau looking fierce even as an older Zhao Zhilong.

It really takes work to take a sweeping historical epic and completely drive it into the ground. You have to admire that kind of handiwork. You have to understand that this is not our first time at the rodeo. By the time you get to The Warring States, you’ve probably seen Red Cliff, The Warlords, even possibly Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (ew), so there are expectations.

The Warring States starts off promising. And by promising, I mean the way that Tian Xi rules that battlefield! I know I often ask this question, but where can I get armor like that?

Source: http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/04/23/movies/the-warring-states-movie-review.html

And so, I sit in anticipation. I’m going to see some first-class military strategy, right? No. Sun Bin starts out goofy, and pretty much stays that way, and it’s not cute. I don’t understand how everyone is looking to him for his brilliant military strategy, because he never demonstrates this in the film. I could even take his overly naive personality, but it doesn’t even make sense after a while. He has absolutely no concept of the political realities of Qi and Wei, and how he factors into them. And how in the world are we to believe that his brother has his best interest at heart when he’s the chief agent behind his crippling?

Source: http://yu-le-xiu-xian.info/SupeSite75SCUTF8/?action-viewnews-itemid-6242

So I’m going to see some great battle scenes, right? No. There is so much time between battles (are there more than two?).  If we don’t see the tensions on the battlefield between Qi and Wei, how are we supposed to believe that there are tensions between Qi and Wei?

So, I’m going to see some dramatic political intrigue, right? Nope. I like how it’s advertised as “two men battling over a woman.” This does not happen, but neither does much of anything else. I don’t buy the devotion of Pang Juan (Francis Ng) to Wei, partly because we get no background information on why he’s with Wei when he started with Qi. These kinds of defections in historical fiction aren’t unusual, but they do happen for a reason. The leader of Wei seems a little too laid back, so the tension and drama with the leader of Qi is not believable. In fact, the only person that seems to do anything remotely interesting is Pang Juan’s sister.

Is this a study in difficult decisions? Is this about tensions between Qi and Wei? Is this a love story? I think the technical term for this is “hot mess.”

Cassies always keep the faith and all, but try being an Orange Princess. It is no secret that I LOVE Shinhwa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: Andy, Eric, Dongwan, Minwoo, Hyesung, Jun Jin:

Source: http://blunderr.wordpress.com/category/shinhwa/page/4/

While I love the individual members of Shinhwa, you know there is always your bias.  You hear that, Andy? It’s you and me, baby, YOU and ME! It’s true, I have a thing for the maknaes….

Read more at KPK: Kpop Kollective (Originially published on June 22, 2011)