You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2009.
Beautiful Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, in the winter of 2007.
The scenery was breathtaking, the time spent was exceptional. Totally amazed by how time really passes so quickly it felt as though I’ve just returned from the Dmchoir Euro Trip’07 a few months back.
Hope to travel with them again.
Photo taken by Moses Thong
Even a neutral would agree that SNSD sounded incredibly in tune live (esp Taeyeon) here ! – well, except for the ending. They even find it hard to finish their own songs entirely in tune – like Gee and Genie, live. And Seohyun (the one singing solo @ 1:22) sounded like a WonderGirl!
“sadly snsd sounded better singing tell me than wondergirls.” – a commentor on youtube, NOT ME. lol.
Watch this in HD, seriously. haha
Of course after SNSD performed their Tell Me, the wonderful girls have to perform a piece of SNSD too. At some parts, I thought they were SNSD in disguise. If you know what I mean. haha.
Entertainment to the max.
Probably this stellar cover of Tell Me is the reason why they titled their latest hit Tell Me You Wish, aka Genie. lol.
Volcanos. Fascinatingly lethal.
This Month in Photo of the Day: Images From the 2008 International Photo Contest
Dolphins are known to jump out the back of big waves as they break against the shores. This pod of bottlenose dolphins was leisurely surfing in the waves as the offshore wind blew against the incoming waves, creating an atmosphere that was most unique and magical. At a place called Waterfall Bluff in the Transkei, South Africa.
Photograph by Andrew Wong
Go Asians!
Choi Jung Chul’s It’s Raining
A masterpiece, totally.
This MV is about this boy (the same boy who acts as Geum Jandi’s little brother in BOF) whose older sister is leaving their village hometown to get married in Seoul, in search for a better life. Watch it to know the rest..
It’s pretty touching also by the fact that the policeman’s willingness to help the kid. Fabulous ending, Im not a sadist though! haha. An incredibly touching MV. Probably the best I’ve seen.
Choi Jung Chul’s Marriage
His MV again. haha. But this one’s really good too.
Sung Si Kyung’s Endure..
Over the years, there has been a huge shortage on teachers willing to teach in the small towns and villages. It’s nice for him to touch on this important issue with his music videos.
Choi Jung Chul’s Why Love
Wow.
Spanish footballer Dani Jarque, captain of Spanish football team Espanyol FC, died of heart failure at the age of 26 on 8 August 2009.
Dani Jarque just a week before his death.
According to several online Spanish newspapers, Jarque was found dead during Espanyol’s pre-season, done in Coverciano, Florence, Italy. He was on the phone with his girlfriend in the team hotel when he suffered a heart attack. He was found after teammates realised he had not turned up for a meal.
Just a week before his death, Jarque had played against Liverpool FC in a pre-season 3-0 friendly win. Liverpool’s manager Rafael Benítez, through the club’s website, said: “This is a very sad day and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Daniel Jarque and everyone at Espanyol.” (wikipedia)
His death is just one of the many high profile deaths of football, including Manchester City’s midfielder Marc-Vivian Foe in 2003, Benfica’s 24 yrs old Miko Feher and Sevilla’s 22 yr old Antonio Puerta in 2007. This list goes on and on. All died because of heart failures.
Formula 2’s racer Henry Surtee, 18, was killed by a flying wheel during a race which came off a car in front of his. The high velocity wheel struck his head, ending his life.
Formula 1’s top racer Felipe Massa almost got killed a few days after Surtee’s accident, after he was struck by a suspension spring from the car ahead of him. He cheated death, escaping with a fractured skull and damaged left eye.
Not only in Sports..
Another example is the Kpop. (of course there’re many others)
Recently, 3 members from popular Korean group DBSK were reportedly trying to sue their label firm, SM Entertainment after many contractual issues, including an alleged “slavery” contract. These are some of the reasons stated by the 5-members group.
1. 5 years after their debut, the three members are physically and emotionally fatigued from the company’s one-sided orders.
2.In reality, 13 years of contract meant a contract for life.
3. The members did not receive adequate treatment from SM for their efforts.
4. The members requested for corrections to the unreasonable contract, but SM did not listen to the member’s opinions.
Netizens went on to envarel ridiculous contract lengths of members of different groups (from other firms other than SM too). One of them is SNSD’s Yoona, who is alleged to have a 13 years contract.
Not only in the Kpop industry..
Aspiring Korean violinist Eugene Park, who grew in the States before moving back to South Korea during the 90s, has one of the most saddening plight. His agents alleged exploited and abused him, and even imprisoned him for several years. The condition of Eugene Park, who suffers from bipolar disorder and light autism, worsened dratically as a result.
Eugene Park’s 1st ever concert in Korea in the 90s
A 2009 performance of the same piece
This video totally makes me feel so pitiful for him.
Slight details on the vid: “Here is another video where you clearly see the distrubed and mentally unstable Eugene Park. Although the person recording kept saying “It’s a video”, Eugene Park helplessly holds his “V” up like a little child unable to understand.” - allkpop
credit to allkpop
read more on allkpop.com
Even so..
These dream careers and desires to be stars one day remain as many people’s ultimate dream.
While we often only see the glamours and superiority these celebs/stars have on the internet/TV/anywhere, we hardly get the chance see the hardships and dangers being a star brings.
This issue reminds me one thing, that it’s all about exchanging in life. Footballers exchange their entire body, personal time, and even life for money, passion and glamour. Kpop singers start their training as early at the single digit-ed age. They exchange their childhood, friends and opportunities in school and family time for their dream’s fulfilment, recognition and stardom.
There’s a price for everything. There’re always pros and cons for everything, and we would have to weigh them intelligent.
Dear God, please bestow me with this wisdom in life decisions, so that I would walk not choose the wrong path. God lead me to where You want me to be, while I continue fulfilling my present duties.
090805 Happy 2nd anniversary, SNSD (:
credit: aeinbest @ soshified & youtube
It’s pretty impressive for a girl grp to release 4 albums (3 mini albums and 1 full album) in just two years. And their constant hardwork is apparent and visible for fans over these two years. Although these two years have been filled with controversies and forgettable incidents, no one can deny the fact that these girls are truly equally proffessional on-off the stage.
Way to go SNSD! (:
Goodbye Stage
Today was SNSD’s ‘Goodbye Stage’ (which means the final time they’ll be on stage performing/promoting their latest album). Along with fellow labelmate SHINee, they will head into a temporary hiatus after a month’s intense hardwork..
SNSD’s Final Stage
goodbye and until we meet again..
while I’m pretty glad they are getting their well needed rest, after their recent car accident and hospitalisation of leader Taeyeon, I feel pretty disappointed at the fact I won’t see them live every weekends already.
SHINee’s Final Stage featuring SNSD
And..
I’m really addicted to “By Myself” by Tiffany. She sang it for the drama “Ja Myung Go” (don’t know what the drama is abt), and subsequently performed live a couple of times.
The melody is so mellow yet strong. It stays in the mind so easily. Along with her smooting vocals, the song is near perfection. And I really like the intro.
Tiffany’s By Myself (19 March 2009, SBS’ Inkigayo – Popular Songs)
‘Michael’ is the name of Summer 2009.
Need evidence?
25 June 2009 – The sudden death of ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson
17 July to 2 August 2009 – Swimmer Michael Phelps breaks 3 WC at 2009 Aquatic Championships
29 July 2009 - The return of ‘best’ F1 racer ever Michael Schumacher
and
3 July 2009 – The shocking transfer of famous injury-proned England striker Michael Owen to Manchester United, in attempt to rejuvenate his declining career.
It was SNSD’s 2nd anniversary on Wednesday. These 2 years have been marred with multiple on-off stage incidents plus controversies, but nonetheless, this group is still alive and kicking, evident by this stellar cover of Super Junior’s hit/hot song Sorry Sorry just now at Music Core.
090808 Sorry Sorry (originally by SuJu) & Genie by SNSD/Girls Generation
hat tip to allkpop & soshified
WOW. Watch their perfect Sorry Sorry dance. Super cool.
Some people are saying SNSD will have no more concepts to explore after their recent ‘Marine’ concept with Genie. But after their short dance cover of Super Junior’s Sorry Sorry, I think the ‘Masculinity’
I really like this performance so much I can’t help but to replay it over and over again. haha
I got all 4 SNSD albums!
I got the albums last Saturday, but hasn’t got the time to take pictures and post them on my blog. Too busy & lazy. haha. I have to thank Jason, my churchmate, who got them for me while he was in Korea. (:
Probably I will post the photos of the albums this long weekend..
Needa do PW/homework too..
Today’s 1st of August and it’s SNSD’s Tiffany’s 20th b’day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. (:
For you, Tiffany
a birthday video dedication to Tiffany from Youtube&Soshified’s aeinbest (note: Koreans add 1 year more to their universal age)
a video dedication to Tiffany from Youtube’s CodeMonmon
this second video was uploaded some 3 wks ago and i personally feel its a very touching video. Recently, at KBS’ talkshow “KJE’s Chocolate”, some of the members’ mums paid a surprise visit, which made all of them cry. The entire situation may seem a little exaggerating, but many would somehow emphatise with these celebs’ feelings.
Especially Tiffany – who grew up in States and having her entire family there. wondered how she felt when her fellow members’ mum came to visit..
ANYWAY
It’s her birthday today so lets be happy! haha!!
AND
I’ll be getting my 4 albums bundle later today!! OH MY GDNESS. Thanks to Jason who helped me got all SNSD’s albums from Korea, includingt heir first single “Into The New World”, “Baby Baby” – repackage of 1st full album, 1st mini album “Gee” and of course the latest “Genie”! ARGH! what a weekend it would be. and i got them for abt S$11.50 each! that’s pretty cheap for something this sort.
ALSO
Tomorrow, 2nd of August, will be SNSD’s 2nd Birthday! Things are getting too coincidentally here. Tiffany’s b’day, SNSD’s b’day, and me getting SNSD’s albums all at once, IN THE SAME WKEND!? WOW. This’ super amazing. haha.
AH THIS
You all should see what Soshified (SSF), SNSD’s largest International Fansite/Forum (which I’m a member too), got for SNSD as their anniversary present. It’s seriously freaking awesome. They actually made it themselves!
one of the hundreds of gifts (no joke) frm SSF which are gonna be shipped to Korea for SNSD
A little extreme har? haha. But everybody’s gotta admit that ‘passport’ is out of the world. How did they manage to make that in apretty short time!?
FINALLY THIS
Tiffany, who probably has the most number of fans AND the most number of anti-fans among the 9 SNSDs, is one of the few members who visits SSF regularly. And in attempt to wish her happy birthday directly, many fans are waiting at the ShoutBox page, waiting for her to login. How do I know? I must be one of them then. LOL.
I find it pretty cool for such a celeb to keep in touch with fans so regularly, taking time out out of their already-meagre personal time.
HOW CAN I FORGET
about my classmate & PW groupmate Shayne Ong, who shares the same Birthday as Tiffany. Happy B’day to you too, Shayne (:
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