On My Playlist ~ Paradise [TRCNG]

I never considered myself a person plagued by any kind of serious compulsive disorder but maybe I should rethink that when it comes to music. Heh. I admit that I often get fixated on an artist or group, or even genre when it comes to music. As a result, that fixation will keep me in a holding pattern where nothing else sneaks in for even a second. This can last for hours, days, weeks, even months. But then every so often, I move out of that compulsive mindset and just hit the shuffle button and let the music chips fall where they may. That happened this past weekend and I was pleasantly surprised when TRCNG’s Paradise shuffled its way out first.

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Musings ~ When Your Idol Invades Your Dreamscape

I woke up this morning feeling a bit melancholic. I suppose it is not so unlikely an emotion given the current state of the world at large. It’s been a difficult year on so many levels for so many. Yet at the same time I also felt upon waking a sort of winsomeness. You see, often when I dream I rarely remember. True also is the fact that many, if not most of my dreams, fall in the anxiety interpretation column if analyzed. Last night, I dreamt about Taemin.

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On My Playlist ~ Wish You Were Here [SuperM]

I generally follow the rules when it comes to comebacks. That is, I jump all over the title tracks and want to shout their brilliance into the stratosphere. With SuperM’s latest release Super One which is their first full studio album since the group’s inception last year, I feel more compelled to talk about a B-side which happens to be my personal favorite on the album, Wish You Were Here.

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On My Playlist ~ Criminal [Taemin]

I do not throw the word ‘masterpiece’ around lightly, or even often. But I think SHINee fans, and specifically, Taemin stans, would agree that while Taemin repeatedly creates artistic masterpieces, he himself is one as well. Since 2 Kids, the pre-release from this third album, Never Gonna Dance Again, I have been entranced, enthralled and captivated by this brilliant young artist. The title track, Criminal, is a metaphoric masterpiece of being a willing victim of a criminal whose crime is an intense, painful yet magnificent love.

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On My Playlist ~ 도깨비 (Favorite Boys) [A.C.E]

September seems to be gearing up to be quite the comeback month, at least as to those groups and artists on my personal radar. The dance powerhouse quintet, A.C.E is one of those groups. Even though this is the group’s fourth mini album, it is my first A.C.E comeback. The anticipation level was high and when they dropped the title track to their HJZM:The Butterfly Phantasy mini album, I wasn’t  sure if 도깨비 (Favorite Boys), was supposed to shock or seduce me. Confession: it did both.

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On My Playlist ~ 2 Kids [Taemin]

So I took a quick look at the fangirl rule book and it seems there are no penalties issued for being a first generation fan of a second generation idol. Lucky for me as I seem to be turning into a repeat offender. Not too long ago I was discovered by Nu’est. Now it seems SHINee’s maknae Lee Taemin has located me. I am next to 100% positive that Taemin’s stalwart fans would stand proud, but not surprised, in knowing that 12 years post-debut, he still attracts new fans. With K-pop, I have been slow to win over in general, and while Taemin has a very robust discography both with SHINee and as a solo artist, his latest release 2 Kids sounded an alarm I was not able to avoid. I’m talking about the kind of alarm that wakes up the senses and triggers emotion kind of alarm.

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On My Playlist ~ 편지를 써 (Stand By You) [A.C.E]

Where do I begin? I am having a difficult time trying to pull it together long enough to talk about this lovely song, its thoughtful message, and the five talented and charming men behind it. I think if you give A.C.E a chance, you will agree that they bring something a little different to the K-pop table. Their latest, 편지를 써 (Stand By You), really feels like a love letter to their fans (Choice) who they clearly deem a sixth and integral member of the group.

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On My Playlist ~ God’s Menu [Stray Kids]

Back in February (which seems like ages ago now) I went to my first of what I thought would be many Kpop concerts in 2020: Stray Kids. I went without knowing anything about them other than they were part of the JYP family. I have been following them since and have to admit that their latest comeback has hit me like a wrecking ball, and that’s a good thing.

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On My Playlist ~ I’m In Trouble [NU’EST]

I know. I KNOW! It has been 8 years since Nu’est debuted. And I know I am coming to the party late. LATE! But the fact of the matter is, I am here and their latest release has my full attention. And once something catches my attention, the research begins and I travel back in time to become acquainted with something I probably should have checked out years prior. It’s how I roll lately. I guess I am a late K-pop bloomer but I am sure JR, Aron, Baekho, Minhyun, and Ren would be thrilled that I love the title track, I’m In Trouble off of their 8th mini-album, The Nocturne. It seems rather serendipitous don’t you think, that I am discovering Nu’est with such excited interest now in what is their 8th year with their 8th mini-album? The K-pop gods always have a plan!

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