Guess what I got in the mail yesterday?
Some of the DVDs I ordered from Yesasia.com and eBay just arrived. See if you can identify which is which.
What I’ve got in the pile :
Watch this space as I’ll be reviewing each of the items as soon as I get to watch/listen to them.
Are you excited? I am!
For the newly inducted into the fandom of Dong Bang Shin Ki, Vacation was a four part drama filmed back in 2005/6?. U-Know, Micky and Hero each filmed their own segment, while Max and Xiah (*sigh!*) filmed a segment together.
U-Know’s segment is called ‘Cassiopeia’, which is the name of their official fan club in Korea. It’s a sweet love story that takes place in a children’s home/nursery, and pays tribute to their fans. Xiah and Changmin take a holiday in a remote countryside village, where they get themselves into trouble and the two city boys try and help out. Hero’s segment is rather exciting, a lot of action and drama in the city getting mixed up with gangsters. Micky goes back to a village he lived in his childhood and meets a distant memory.
Obviously, we know that the boys are singers/performers first, and not actors.. But Vacation is an earnest attempt at making shorts that are humorous yet sweet, action- filled, and very human.
I particularly like Xiah’s and ChangMin’s segment as it was very, very funny, although I confess to being very, very embarassed for ChangMin. (You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it.) Action star Hero proved a little bit too much for me.. somehow his character didn’t suit Hero the person. Which is why I have misgivings about his segment, but there were some particularly good moments, strangely when Hero wasn’t acting as himself. Despite the element of the fantastical with Micky’s story, it was very, very beautiful, and thoughtful, and I really liked the ending, and that moved me to tears most of all. U-Know was brave and great, though there were some moments that proved to be… um.. very embarassing. You have to give the leader street cred for that.
This is a must-have for any DBSK/TVXQ! fan.. It was a perfect way to start off my collection (of originals). Don’t forget to enjoy the NG’s (bloopers) on the DVD. I was disappointed that the NG’s themselves did not have subtitles. I only knew what was going on thanks to the properly subtitled one I saw on YouTube. There were more problems with the subtitles on the DVD because I don’t think that it was particularly thorough or timed correctly, there were some moments that there was a lot of talking going on that drew total blanks for me, so I guess I’ll have to learn proper Korean to understand that. A cool extra is that TVXQ! filmed new intros for the feature and the NG’s, you get to see Hero in his platinum anime blonde stage.
What are you waiting for, go get your copy now! Or if you do have one, go watch yours!
Today marks the release of TVXQ!’s latest double A side single, go get your copy at Yesasia.com now!
Here’s a great performance of Beautiful You by the beloved boys..
My first original DBSK/TVXQ! purchase arrived today. Yay! It’s their Vacation (Uncut Version) DVD. You can’t get it on YesAsia, so I recommend you do a search on eBay because that’s where I got it. What’s great about it is that it has English subtitles, a special intro to their NG’s (Bloopers), and also an intro to the feature presentation.
I haven’t yet watched the dvd.. but I’ll review it later when I get the chance… Yippee!
TVXQ! Dong Bang Shin Ki! Tohoshinki! By whatever name you know them, TVXQ are arguably one of the best boybands to come out of Korea and have made a huge impact in Asia.
L-R: Xiah Junsu, Micky YooChun, Hero JaeJoong, Max ChangMin, U-Know YunHo.
Xiah, Micky, Hero, Max and U-Know debuted with their single “Hug” back in 2004, and instantly became a hit on the charts with their harmonic voices, their boyish good looks and playful charm. Their name translates roughly as “Rising Gods Of The East”, and perhaps it was prophetic, as they are now one of the major bands is Asia with their universal appeal. Their music is heard as far as places Brazil and Peru, and their appeal is such that they have rabid fans in many countries who take pains to learn their dances and upload it onto YouTube.
Their talents don’t just stop at upbeat Korean pop, as of now, TVXQ! have released their 3rd Japanese Album, mostly of ballads, proving that these boys don’t just drop dance moves like it’s hot, but can croon with the best of them.
I have mixed feelings about saying that I only discovered TVXQ! about 5 weeks ago. I am happy because I’ve discovered a Korean band that makes me feel like a teenager again (and I am 26!), but I am sad because I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot. But I am quickly catching up, and I think I can say that I’m part of Cassiopeia soon enough.
A short story on how I discovered TVXQ! Those five weeks ago, on a lazy Sunday afternoon like this one.. I went to Batu Bersurat to see my best friend, when I happened to drop by one of the many DVD shops there to check out some new boxsets. I wasn’t really looking for any Korean dramas at the time, but nevertheless I still wandered around the shop for quite a bit of time. Usually, DVD shops here have this horrible habit of either playing trance music or latest hits at this deafening volume that you can even hear from your car when you pass by, but unusually enough that day, perhaps to suit my rather mellow mood, this DVD shop was playing a very pretty song on the sound system. I was so surprised by it, I actually asked the girl at the cashier about it. She took out the cover of the DVD that had been actually been playing, and without a second thought, bought it right out of her hand.
When I got home, I immediately watched the DVD and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked all the songs and videos on the DVD and played it non-stop for the next two days. After some clever googling, I found out the name of my new favourite band in the world, TVXQ! The song I heard that day was “Hug.” And the rest is history, since I am sitting here now, typing out my little story. (In case you’re wondering what DVD it is, I think it’s one DVD out of the All About DBSK Vol. 1, the one with the Music Videos and KBS Performances.)
Though the DVD itself is pirated (as are most DVDs, CDs and VCDs in Brunei.. I am grateful for it because it introduced me to a whole new world of music. I had listened to Jay Chou, Ken Hirai, F4 and NRG before, but this was my first experience with K-Pop, and I like it. I’ve got Kang Ta, BoA and Shinhwa lined up for my next purchases. I spent a minor fortune on YesAsia.com just buying some of the essential TVXQ! back catalog. I’m so hooked that I even managed to get myself a copy of Bonjour Paris! on eBay after some amazingly competitive bidding. I will review all my purchases as soon as the arrive. (^-^)b
So who do I like in TVXQ!/DBSK? The answer is simple.. ALL OF THEM!
It’s really hard to choose a favourite member, because each one of them has their own charisma.. and I have watched enough interviews and videos on YouTube to get an idea on each of them.
There’s no doubt that Hero Jaejoong is definitely the pretty boy of the group. One look at his delicate handsome looks, and anyone would agree he is entrancing from first glance. He seems to be the ‘mother’ of the group. The oldest and perhaps the one with the most angelic voice, as well as looks. I love how he can be kooky at times and despite his ‘cold looks’ is very warm and caring.
I adore Micky because he seems to be the ‘deep, sensitive one.’ His rich deep voice rounds out the boys well. He seems to have a very good one on one relationship with each of the guys, perhaps especially Junsu and ChangMin. He might be the one who talks least of all during the interviews, but he is the most musically talented out of all of them, having written several songs and is an excellent piano player.
XIAH! JUNSU! Ahhhh! Whenever I see Xiah on screen, he makes me want to scream his name because his excitable energy seems to affect me. Two words that describe him : Dolphin Boy! He seems to have the character of a dolphin, curious and lovable.. and also he can squeak like one too. He is one of the lead vocals besides Jaejoong, as he has an amazing powerful voice that can be honey or a projection of feeling.
Max is the youngest, and has an aura of quiet intelligence, but also of schoolboyish sweetness. But don’t let that fool you, he can be mischievous as well. If Xiah’s voice has power, then Max has amazing range. He can switch from deep richness to an amazing alto vocal in a breath. He can be too honest, and strangely funny. I’d really like Max to try and record his own album to find out what genres he can get out of his voice.
Rounding up the group, and definitely not the least, U-Know, though the 2nd oldest, is the leader of the group. Probably one of the best dancers, his vocal, though not comparably powerful or special to the rest completes the sound of TVXQ! He has excellent rapping skills, and takes his responsibilities as leader seriously, very much aware of his group members feelings, and happy to take charge in any situation.
A few songs that I recommend for a first time listener :
From the first album: “Hug” and “Tri-Angle”
From their 2nd : “Rising Sun” and “One”
From their 3rd : “O”, “You’re My Miracle”
Japanese Tracks : “Choosey Lover” “Step By Step” “Aisenai Aishitai” “Sky” “Begin”
AnyongHaseyo! 안녕하세요!
Welcome to Hallyu! Brunei. I started this blog out of my love for DBSK/TVXQ/THSK and Korean dramas. I feel that the Korean Wave has well and truly arrived in Brunei and is here to stay.
I myself got hit by the Korean Wave or Hallyu! a few years ago back when I was a student. If I am not mistaken it was in 2004. I was studying at university at the time, and I was lucky enough to have lived in the student residence in London called Brunei Hall, which offered cheap meals, even cheaper rent and was the centre of all Bruneian activities in London.
I lived with about a hundred other students and part of living experience there of course was socialising with the other students in Brunei Hall. We often gathered in each other’s rooms to watch movies and dramas.. and things seemed to be much more fun when you did it in groups.
At the time, I was quite resistant to the sudden surge groups who got together to watch Korean dramas.. as I thought it was a bit silly. I usually walked in to find a group of 4 – 8 people, crying, eyes glued to the screen, with an empty box of tissues. I’d immediately walk out because then I had a very important image to upkeep and I was not going to be caught watching something and crying like some silly little girl who could not control her emotions.
I managed to avoid it.. but all the while, “Winter Sonata” grew in fame and several boxsets of the DVDs or VCDs were being passed around from room to room. And more and more people were talking about it.
One day, after noticing my best friend had not contacted me in 48 hours, I got worried and went to her room. Apparently, she had spent two days in her room watching “Winter Sonata” and was about to watch the last episode when I came in. Having nothing better to do, I decided to keep her company.
Although I didn’t understand much of the story at the time, it had moved me, that I had cried just as bitterly as my best friend, and that’s the story of how I discovered Korean drama. The very next day, I borrowed a copy of “Winter Sonata” and watched it myself.
I haven’t watched that many Korean dramas, but I appreciate them as they have such interesting storylines and cute acting. In the days to come, I hope that you will share with me my enjoyment, and also share yours.
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself.. my friends have given me the Korean name Chung Ae, and I like it very much. I am 26, and am happy if you would like to call me Ohni or Chung Ae sshi.
Well, that’s all for now, so Annyong!
You are currently browsing the Hallyu! Brunei blog archives for April, 2008.
 | yana on If music be the food of love, … |
 | raudha on TVXQ! Vacation |
 | Daviddo on Parcels of Love |
 | bellex on I am fangirl… |
 | Lili on Parcels of Love |
