The K-Pop Thread

[fashion monster 397]

13 hours ago, HANZ said:

I have a question for all of you

why is G Dragon so popular?

some people even call him the king of K-POP but I was watching the video Fantastic Baby and well he was obviously the center in that video but TOP caught my attention the most, better looks, character and a more recognizable voice imo

plus he is better looking that G Dragon, I even think dragon is a bit---ugly

so why is he soooooo popular?

btw I Stan for TOP's looks in the video

I think there are many reasons. First I think I have to say that probably T.O.P is your bias, and that's why you feel this way. I had the same thought over a year ago when I started listening to K-Pop, except that I put Taeyang in that place. GD is not an easy artist. He's edgy, can be perceived as a douchebag and he's voice is probably irritating to the majority. 

As for the beauty part I don't know. I think Koreans would be divided but would choose GD.

As for the music, he's part of the biggest K-Pop male group (until this year at least); he's the leader; usually centre-stage and visual. I don't judge the quality but he also covers the roles of main raper, vocalist, face of the group, dancer, producer and songwriter. South Koreans make a strong distinction between idols and singers, considering idols less talented as they usually don't take part in the creative process. GD is one of the exceptions. BIGBANG's first success, the song that made BIGBANG who they are today is "Lies", a song entirely written and produced by GD, and that was originally created to be used for his solo debut. Their second success, "Haru Haru" is also written and co-produced by GD and is considered one of the most influential songs in K-Pop history. So, I think this was the turning point for both BIGBANG and GD. I think he's involved in the creation of the majority of his group songs if not all. T.O.P contribution came later, and I don't want to diminish his work but I think that what he writes is basically his rap. As a soloist he's also more popular than the others (exception made for Daesung in Japan, but I'm not so sure about this).

Then there is the personality and stage presence. When off stage GD is a completely different person, like BP's Lisa. He's considered down-to-earth, polite and have a good relationship with his fans. He also plays the shy role and that attires the attention of grown women (30+) whose maternal instinct or smth get stimulated (nowadays this role is being covered by WANNAONE's Daniel).

He's also a fashion icon (I think he has a brand of clothes and stuff) and a trendsetter: everything he wears get a boost in sales. He has an androgynous look and is almost always pushing gender boundaries both with clothes and make-up. (Shout-out to Jo Kwon tho).

In conclusion, when people claim that GD is the king of K-Pop I think they are not necessarily saying he's better than anyone else. He's just one of the few idols who has also a strong fan-base made of non K-Pop lovers. He's liked by both male and female; toddlers, kids, teenagers, adults and elders.

From our pov the topic is up for discussion. It's the same as "Who's the Queen of Pop?"

 

3 hours ago, Taylor said:

I love how IU can can achieve an all kill with a pre-release song released on the same day as BTS’ new album 

Queen of Korea tbh . BTS is almost a nuggu there 

[Taylor 964]

 

[fashion monster 397]

25 minutes ago, Taylor said:

 

What is this? OEC version of New Zealand Story in LA? I can't wait for Girl Front to be released and all of the LOONATV episodes to follow

Edited September 19, 2017 by fashion monster

[Martijn 1,042]

21 minutes ago, Taylor said:

 

Isn't 0:15 where Jessica filmed her solo debut MV?
Also, this teaser gives me Taeyeon 'Why' teas. But I'm 99% sure that was filmed in LA as well, so that makes sense

[PoshLife 16,973]

Not to make this thread about Apple again, but...

I went to the Verizon store and talked to someone and left pretty certain I was going to buy the 8. But then I read a bunch of reviews and now I'm leaning towards waiting another month and getting the X instead. The basic debate is: should I get the lesser (but still great) phone right now, or wait a month and pay more for the newer, better phone?

I'm struck by the fact that this is the exact debate I had three years ago, when it was "should I buy the iPhone 5 now, or wait a month and buy the iPhone 6?" I went with the 5, and three years later my phone feels really ancient (the camera especially on the 5 is soooo bad). I feel like if I get the 8, it'll obviously be a really good phone now, but in three more years the old-style iPhones will feel as outdated as the 5 does now. 

At the end of the day, waiting one more month is not that big a deal since my current phone does work. And $300 is not huge in the grand scheme of things (I mean it is to some people, but I'm fortunate that money isn't really an issue for me). And in exchange for that, I get the top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art phone with all the stupid stuff people will be talking about like animoji and wireless charging and stuff. And the really good dual cameras, which is what I'm most interested in. I feel like I'll be current, not a step behind like I usually am with technology.

Thoughts??

Edited September 19, 2017 by PoshLife

[Taylor 964]

31 minutes ago, Martijn said:

Isn't 0:15 where Jessica filmed her solo debut MV?
Also, this teaser gives me Taeyeon 'Why' teas. But I'm 99% sure that was filmed in LA as well, so that makes sense

I've read others saying it was the same as Jessica - so probably  

[Taylor 964]

1 minute ago, PoshLife said:

Not to make this thread about Apple again, but...

I went to the Verizon store and talked to someone and left pretty certain I was going to buy the 8. But then I read a bunch of reviews and now I'm leaning towards waiting another month and getting the X instead. The basic debate is: should I get the lesser phone right now, or wait a month and pay more for the newer, better phone?

I'm struck by the fact that this is the exact debate I had three years ago, when it was "should I buy the iPhone 5 now, or wait a month and buy the iPhone 6?" I went with the 5, and three years later my phone feels really ancient (the camera especially on the 5 is soooo bad). I feel like if I get the 8, it'll obviously be a really good phone now, but in three more years the old-style iPhones will feel as outdated as the 5 does now. 

At the end of the day, waiting one more month is not that big a deal since my current phone does work. And $300 is not huge in the grand scheme of things (I mean it is to some people, but I'm fortunate that money isn't really an issue for me). And in exchange for that, I get the top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art phone with all the stupid stuff people will be talking about like animoji and wireless charging and stuff. And the really good dual cameras, which is what I'm most interested in. I feel like I'll be current, not a step behind like I usually am with technology.

Thoughts??

I'd say if you can wait a little bit (i.e. not want to get the X on release date) I'd hold out until the reviews are released for the X (should be ~31st October for media reviews) and then decide. Media reviews for the 8/8 Plus were released today, so they might be a good read?

"New" iPhones always tend to have something wrong with them (I still buy them anyways ) - iPhone 4's signal loss issue, iPhone 5s slow Touch ID, iPhone 6 bending etc. 

The only issue is that once they go up on pre-order there might be a very long waiting list as production is supposedly really slow (I refresh MacRumors and 9to5Mac as often as as I do r/kpop ). So if you do want one this year I'd suggest pre-ordering as soon as possible, then you can always return it (I know Apple accept returns for 30 days even if you've opened it, but I don't know if a carrier will). 

I'm personally waiting for the X, but I do like to upgrade almost every year  

 

[PoshLife 16,973]

5 minutes ago, Taylor said:

I'd say if you can wait a little bit (i.e. not want to get the X on release date) I'd hold out until the reviews are released for the X (should be ~31st October for media reviews) and then decide. Media reviews for the 8/8 Plus were released today, so they might be a good read?

"New" iPhones always tend to have something wrong with them (I still buy them anyways ) - iPhone 4's signal loss issue, iPhone 5s slow Touch ID, iPhone 6 bending etc. 

The only issue is that once they go up on pre-order there might be a very long waiting list as production is supposedly really slow (I refresh MacRumors and 9to5Mac as often as as I do r/kpop ). So if you do want one this year I'd suggest pre-ordering as soon as possible, then you can always return it (I know Apple accept returns for 30 days even if you've opened it, but I don't know if a carrier will). 

I'm personally waiting for the X, but I do like to upgrade almost every year  

 

Ugh you've complicated this for me again haha. Cuz you're right, there will probably be something buggy about it. (What happens if that's the case? Do you just have to live with it, or can you get a replacement?) I read a lot of the 8 reviews and they're like "it's a great phone if you don't want to spend more/wait longer on the X". So it wasn't that helpful haha. I am a little worried about availability... like what if I have to wait months to get it  

[Taylor 964]

3 minutes ago, PoshLife said:

Ugh you've complicated this for me again haha. Cuz you're right, there will probably be something buggy about it. (What happens if that's the case? Do you just have to live with it, or can you get a replacement?) I read a lot of the 8 reviews and they're like "it's a great phone if you don't want to spend more/wait longer on the X". So it wasn't that helpful haha. I am a little worried about availability... like what if I have to wait months to get it  

Personally I haven't really had any issues. With the 4 I could replicate the signal loss, but I had to really squeeze the phone to do so. And with the 6 Plus, mine didn't bend at all (but I kept mine in a case at all times). I'm not really sure if they gave out replacements to those badly effected to be honest  The only issues I've ever had were dead pixels (happened once with the 6 Plus - they just swapped it for a new one) and a home button that stopped working (I think with the 5 after I'd had it for around a year and a half - again they just swapped it for a new one, free of charge). 

I'm hoping that because they've delayed the release to November they'll have a more sufficient stock this time around. The most popular model tends to be black with the maximum storage (the one I go for ) so that tends to sell out first when pre-orders go live. The first batch of pre-orders are shipped for release day delivery, but once they sell out (could be around 10 to 15 minutes) they tend to slip to 2-3 weeks or longer.

Also - as Christmas is nearing, I'd think they'd have additional extra stock sooner for all those Christmas presents. 

But that's just based on previous pre-order experience. If you do pre-order, the Apple Store app is by far the best way to go. It tends to come online first and works a lot more smoothly. I remember for the 6 Plus pre-orders they were sold out before the desktop website even loaded for me  (as it didn't load until like 25 mins after pre-orders 'started'). 

[PoshLife 16,973]

51 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Personally I haven't really had any issues. With the 4 I could replicate the signal loss, but I had to really squeeze the phone to do so. And with the 6 Plus, mine didn't bend at all (but I kept mine in a case at all times). I'm not really sure if they gave out replacements to those badly effected to be honest  The only issues I've ever had were dead pixels (happened once with the 6 Plus - they just swapped it for a new one) and a home button that stopped working (I think with the 5 after I'd had it for around a year and a half - again they just swapped it for a new one, free of charge). 

I'm hoping that because they've delayed the release to November they'll have a more sufficient stock this time around. The most popular model tends to be black with the maximum storage (the one I go for ) so that tends to sell out first when pre-orders go live. The first batch of pre-orders are shipped for release day delivery, but once they sell out (could be around 10 to 15 minutes) they tend to slip to 2-3 weeks or longer.

Also - as Christmas is nearing, I'd think they'd have additional extra stock sooner for all those Christmas presents. 

But that's just based on previous pre-order experience. If you do pre-order, the Apple Store app is by far the best way to go. It tends to come online first and works a lot more smoothly. I remember for the 6 Plus pre-orders they were sold out before the desktop website even loaded for me  (as it didn't load until like 25 mins after pre-orders 'started'). 

This is all helpful info, thanks. I'll buy it through the app. I don't mind if I have to wait until like mid-November or something. I'm more worried that they're gonna do what Nintendo did with the Switch and intentionally release a lot fewer than the demand so people had to go searching everywhere for one.

[Taylor 964]

32 minutes ago, PoshLife said:

This is all helpful info, thanks. I'll buy it through the app. I don't mind if I have to wait until like mid-November or something. I'm more worried that they're gonna do what Nintendo did with the Switch and intentionally release a lot fewer than the demand so people had to go searching everywhere for one.

Did you end up getting a Switch? I got mine whenever they came out, and I haven't used it since... um... May  Although I did have my finals. If I started playing again I'd probably get back into it. I don't really see myself playing again until Super Mario Odyssey comes out tho  But when Animal Crossing comes to the Switch I'll be playing that like 24/7  I love Animal Crossing

-

It's also good to check the stock of local stores for collection (as you can cancel your online order if a local store has stock). When you place the order on the app it now automatically asks if you want it delivered or collected (before hand there was a different reservation site) and shows which stores have stock available. So after release you could sporadically check for stock and maybe get lucky one day.

The only annoying thing about Apple reservations (they might have changed this, as I haven't reserved anything for a while) is that you have to pick a time slot for collection (one hour) and if you don't go to the store by that time then you essentially lose your reservation. I've been told by an employee that it shouldn't matter if you are late (as the items doesn't back into stock for another reservation until the next day) but I've also had an employee point blank refuse to sell me an iPad because I was 5 mins late for my window (got stuck in traffic)  

[PoshLife 16,973]

17 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Did you end up getting a Switch? I got mine whenever they came out, and I haven't used it since... um... May  Although I did have my finals. If I started playing again I'd probably get back into it. I don't really see myself playing again until Super Mario Odyssey comes out tho  But when Animal Crossing comes to the Switch I'll be playing that like 24/7  I love Animal Crossing

-

It's also good to check the stock of local stores for collection (as you can cancel your online order if a local store has stock). When you place the order on the app it now automatically asks if you want it delivered or collected (before hand there was a different reservation site) and shows which stores have stock available. So after release you could sporadically check for stock and maybe get lucky one day.

The only annoying thing about Apple reservations (they might have changed this, as I haven't reserved anything for a while) is that you have to pick a time slot for collection (one hour) and if you don't go to the store by that time then you essentially lose your reservation. I've been told by an employee that it shouldn't matter if you are late (as the items doesn't back into stock for another reservation until the next day) but I've also had an employee point blank refuse to sell me an iPad because I was 5 mins late for my window (got stuck in traffic)  

No, I probably won't ever get a Switch. I don't care about Zelda games and for a while that was the only good game on it. I watch some streamers who play Mario Kart and Splatoon 2 on it, and that kinda makes me wish I had it so I could play along, but other than that it doesn't really have anything for me. I'd definitely get Mario Odyssey, though. It looks like it's gonna be epic.

Honestly my Wii U experience was such a fiasco that it soured me on new consoles. I haven't bought half the games I said I'd buy when I got it  What a waste.

omg I hate everything to do with going to the Apple store. The whole reservation thing, and the nearest store is like a half hour walk away... If I can just have it delivered I'll probably do that. I don't mind setting it up myself, all they're gonna do there is try to sell me on accessories. 

[Taylor 964]

26 minutes ago, PoshLife said:

I don't mind setting it up myself, all they're gonna do there is try to sell me on accessories. 

I hate how they always push you to set it up in the store - like no, I'm more than capable of opening a box and pressing the power button by myself!  The only time I've had someone open something was my iPhone 4 (although I got that from a carrier) and I was like "you'd better not freaking drop it!". 

I always like to have a case and screen protector before I get the phone, but all the companies I tend to buy from are like "Available November"  so hopefully they're ready a little earlier

I also really hope I do get the phone November 3rd  as if it's a few weeks later then I'm supposed to be going on holiday with my family for a few days  

[PoshLife 16,973]

1 minute ago, Taylor said:

I hate how they always push you to set it up in the store - like no, I'm more than capable of opening a box and pressing the power button by myself!  The only time I've had someone open something was my iPhone 4 (although I got that from a carrier) and I was like "you'd better not freaking drop it!". 

I always like to have a case and screen protector before I get the phone, but all the companies I tend to buy from are like "Available November"  so hopefully they're ready a little earlier

I also really hope I do get the phone November 3rd  as if it's a few weeks later then I'm supposed to be going on holiday with my family for a few days  

Well knowing our collective luck yours will be delivered while you're on holiday and mine will get backordered to March

And then Apple will disband

[Taylor 964]

3 minutes ago, PoshLife said:

Well knowing our collective luck yours will be delivered while you're on holiday and mine will get backordered to March

And then Apple will disband

Haha, so true! I'm anticipating my card getting declined for the purchase due to a high price or something  I should probably phone my bank beforehand to warn them

I'm also not sure if I should get it delivered to my home or to work. I thought about getting Apple Care + for this phone, but they upped the prices to like £199 so I was like "lol no".