The Fangirl Lane

Tag Archives: Korean entertainment


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On My Playlist ~ Nemo [Taemin]

Truth be told, every song on Taemin’s Act One: Never Gonna Dance Again is in shuffle mode looping endlessly as I pass these quarantine days in this current work from home environment. It has been my constant companion since its September 7th release. At this point, I should simply succumb to the desire to gush over every track and am considering it because as far as I’m concerned, each deserves its moment in the spotlight. However for now, I choose to honor Nemo because in a recent commentary, Taemin intimated that it is his favorite track on the album.

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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 ~ 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 Screen ~ Where Your Eyes Linger

Let me preface this post by saying that I have always been (and continue to be) a champion of indie film, television, music and media in general. Likewise, I always applaud those artists who dare to take risks and, in particular, actors. When actors take on challenging roles that may in some instances go against societal norms or when they portray characters that are not the ‘average joe,’ perhaps on the fringe, or just generally a bit strange (see Ryan Gosling in Lars and the Real Girl, for example) I appreciate them even more. When I read the synopsis for Where Your Eyes Linger I was intrigued because it broached the subject of same sex love/relationships, a subject that is not widely seen in Korean drama, if at all. This is my first LGBT Korean drama. I have to say, I really liked it and was rather blown away by newcomer, Han Gi Chan.

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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 ~ Rock Paper Scissors [M.O.N.T]

Sometimes you have to step away from big agency K-pop and allow yourself to fall in love with something a little off the beaten path. I recently took a detour, found, and fell promptly in love with M.O.N.T. And oh my, they certainly turned out to be the mood-lifting breath of fresh air I have obviously been craving.

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On My Playlist ~ X [Xydo]

Ever since I have expanded my Korean music listening experience beyond K-pop and, specifically, towards Korean R&B, I have been low-key keeping tabs on music crews who roll in that lane. Why? Because on occasion those crews have ties to K-pop idols who ride among them. This is how I became acquainted with vocalist Xydo and his latest (and first) EP release, X.

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[News] Winner’s Lee Seunghoon Begins Military Service

I am a little late in posting news of Winner’s Lee Seunghoon’s enlistment on April 16, 2020 but part of me is still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that 50% of my beloved Winner is now enlisted. Fans knew it was inevitable but as with Jinu, news of Hoony also going still came as a shock.

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On My Screen ~ Clean With Passion For Now

Ok, raise your hand if you decided to watch a drama because you saw an actor in another drama who piqued enough interest to make you put all of the said actor’s filmography on your watch list no matter how big or small the role. This is exactly the situation I currently find myself in with Lee Do Hyun and hence, why the 2018 drama, Clean With Passion For Now ended up on my list.

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