Confessions of A Kpop Fan (2 of 3)

Images sourced from Google Images

This is a three-part blog. Click here for the first part. 

Being acquainted into Kpop music in just a few days, I became its avid listener and fan. I just like the music. Although we can say it borrows from how Western music sounds, in one way or another Korean artists and producers made it their own (yes, I gotta credit the musicians!). My first favorites are girl groups f(x) and Blackpink.

The electronic and the EDM vibe of f(x), likely known for "Electric Shock", is something I got hooked on, having an ears for electronic sounds. I like their latest album 4 Walls, with the title track and "Rude Love" as my fave picks. Then Blackpink, of course. I started with "Playing with Fire", then I turned out to love all of their songs. But it went that way very slowly.

Fandom over K.A.R.D.

And then came another group which pulled my attention, thanks to that unplanned performance of my classmates in our retreat last year. A single song made me like another Kpop group, and this time it is a co-ed/mixed group—K.A.R.D. And it made me turn from an avid listener to a fan.

Once I heard "Oh Nana" by myself when I had gone home from the retreat, I had it on loop. Another LSS!

Not only that, I also viewed its choreography. Wow, a first! Likely, it's a clickbait too. I don't know what's going on me, but somehow I felt (and this is really a confession) like it's something anyone can dance to. Soon, I also viewed dance covers of the song. Clickbait after clickbait. It feels like it relieves stress, just like when I viewed dance routines from the 80's dance trio The Tigers, lead by the actor and host Jojo Alejar. Besides, the first semester was at its peak where deadlines are coming and the things get more difficult it got me sing "jigeowo [tired] always".

After getting hooked on "Oh Nana", "Don't Recall" and "Rumor" followed up to be the next LSS from K.A.R.D. I would even want to wave my hands to the sky at the chorus drop of "Rumor"!

Not did I like the dances. I later on developed what is known to be the bias. That member of the group you're most fascinated with, the person among the group whom you're rooting the most. And for me, it happened to be Jiwoo. Reason? She's pretty. And others who have the same bias would agree. Not merely that. There's the talent, especially in belting high notes. And her chemistry with J.seph works, "like coffee and muffin". Actually, the chemistry of K.A.R.D. is really something, considering that they are one of those prominent co-ed acts.

Becoming a Blink

I also remember that time when we had another class on Marriage and Family. Because we had the classes on a computer room (out of lack of classroom perhaps), we had the privilege and liberty to use the computer there. Where else would we sit but in front of monitors? So one would answer quizzes on Buzzfeed. Another would scroll a News Feed on Facebook. And me—the fan that I am as well as a bored student—thought of opening Giphy, and searched for GIFs about K.A.R.D., as well as my bias. I guess there's something in GIFs that's why it's something: intricate details are more observed, from the cinematography of the music video "Don't Recall" to the beauty of Jiwoo.

And yet it's not only K.A.R.D. I searched for. I happened to look for Blackpink GIFs. And so I found another bias from another group! There's this GIF of Jennie sighing, from an episode of Weekly Idol. It's just so cute I shared it to a classmate who is a fellow Blink (name for the fans of the female group). I realized I was becoming fond of Jennie that it is likely to be called 'fangirling/fanboying'.

 via GIPHY

One of those moments that changed my bias from Jennie to Jisoo
(Source: Blackpink House)

You may as well say those biases are crushes. Wow, celebrity crushes—but not from Hollywood! This makes me think male fans of Kpop have a similarity—they begin to be one as singles. Maybe that's a good topic for thesis. Too late, I was bound to one.

Blackpink's original single two years ago, "As If It's Your Last", got me saying "Majimakchoreom" out of the blue! I have even viewed episodes of Blackpink House. It made me shift my bias from Jennie to Jisoo. The latter's so pretty as well as funny. She can be both at the same time!

But actually, all in Blackpink are pretty, and their personalities make a beautiful chemistry. This, I think, is why I like them. They're my favorite Kpop group at the present. They have just released a new album, Square Up, and I looked forward to it weeks ago. I happened to tag friends who are also Blinks on posts about their comeback.

This is where fandom has it's magic, I suppose. It could possibly form new connections and closer friendships. It could nudge you to update fellow fans by sharing and tagging them to posts once they show up on your News Feed.

(To be concluded)

Click here for the final part