They Caught Me

                “You’ve never opened your heart to me, not even once I feel like I’m looking at a wall, you know that?"  No, no I will not talk about my love life here, I don’t even have one. *sigh* Anyway, that is an excerpt, the translation by the way, from a song I am currently addicted to. It is “Catch Me” by the popular group, TVXQ or Dongbangshinki aka “Rising Gods of the East” in English.

 A little information about the group: they are formerly a five-member Korean boy band from an entertainment company named SM Entertainment; the boys debuted around 2003 and are already nine years in the industry going ten next year. The original lineup was Kim Jaejoong, Kim Junsu, Shim Changmin, Park Yoochun and Jung Yunho. After a controversy between the company and three of its members (Jaejoong, Junsu and Yoochun) that led to a court trial, the five split up. TVXQ is now left with two members (Yunho and Changmin) and continued performing as a duo while the rest formed the trio group, JYJ.

Enough about that and more about the song... the duo recently came back on September 24, 2012 with a new album and title track called “Catch Me”. They both released the album and music video on the said date and made their live performance just this October 5 in a Korean music show. The song seems as if it is a combination of an orchestral-ish, electro pop, dubstep-ish and pop sound (sorry for the bad description, I really don’t know much about music and its genres). Anyhow, the moment I heard the song though I got disappointed because it was not what I expected after watching the teaser video released a few days before. I was like, “Aww, I thought it would be a very upbeat song.” Although, man, after listening to it a few more times, it instantly caught my heart and got stuck inside my head. It was some sort of virus that spread like crazy. It was very "catchy". The chorus definitely was my favorite especially the “Kajima~” part sang by Yunho. It was just so full of emotion, even though I could not understand it like hell, how it was sang kinda delivers the message. (His voice also improved a lot comparing to their Keep Your Head Down era, I am so happy for him!) Changmin's strong, high-note-hitting, voice meanwhile, was flawless and lovable as usual. Well, the song in general was seasoned with sentiments and their powerful voices add to the impact, it is just something you can and want to sing along to.

On to the music video, disregarding the intro sequence the whole video was simply stunning. They were on minimalistic sets, we can usually see other Korean groups do but what made it unique and what spiced the place up was the dance routine. The ever so awesome choreography (they refer to as the Dragon Dance or Hulk Dance) was something different; it had this Interpretative, Krumpin’, Poppin’ and Hip-hop sides to it. It was very creative actually, who would have thought such moves can be put to this song. I bet it was difficult to achieve such a routine, it requires a lot of teamwork from the duo and their backup dancers (who I ever so adore for their awesomeness as well). The choreo is no joke, with all those carrying, slanting and crazy formations a normal person would really get tired even before the chorus starts. I could have probably fainted if I tried to dance it. These people are very very uber well-trained professional performers and they make it look like it is no sweat. They were feeling the song from start to end (I am also referring to their recent live performance). Overall the music video was both enjoyable and awe-able.

Next would be the lyrics of the song. It is something I can vaguely relate to considering the fact I had no boyfriend yet whatsoever, if I refer to my school crush then maybe but not quite. The message is frank. If you don’t ‘catch me’ I will be gone forever, if you don’t tell me not to go, if you don’t beg me not to leave, then good-bye. It seems as if a boy is saying take me or else or if you don’t love me then it is your lost. It is now or never. A very powerful meaning probably those guys who are friendzoned can say "Catch Me" is the best song for them.

TVXQ’s comeback from a year and a half break was worth waiting for. The title track and the album really caught my attention. Their almost perfect live performance was something to bow down too. They are back, half of the Kings are back. I bet if the five of them reunited, they will be unstoppable. In the meantime, these two senior idols will rule the industry for the time being. I am Mackie, a Cassie, a Korean pop lover telling you to ALWAYS KEEP THE FAITH!

Here is their official music video and practice clip (the live performance is hyperlinked at the 3rd paragraph)... Don't forget to breathe! ;)

*Note: If you have seen the live performance of "I Don't Know" please I beg you to help me burn their outfits especially Changmin's. They look as if they were taken out of a manga not really fit for performing; their outfits are too distracting in my opinion. Haha, sorry I just had to let this out. 

Music Video

Dance Practice

That List...

                Today is the 6^th of October, 2012. A normal but not so normal Saturday since this is the weekend before our Final Exams. I am currently a college student on my third year as a Hotel and Restaurant Management major at one of the top schools here in my country. Moving on, I should really be studying right now, however my lazy side took over. Now I just want to sleep and theoretically regain my energy from those oh so sleepless nights cramming all those projects and homeworks and struggling to finish them before the deadline.

                I promised myself I would do better this semester to try and get back that title, “Dean’s Lister”. It was a privilege I received during the first semester of my first year in college up to the first semester of my second year (pretty short-lived). Shocking, because I used to have grades like 76, 77, 78 and the “shoot that was close” 79. (I never had a failing mark though) These numbers were present on some or maybe most of my report cards back in Elementary (that was around 4^th grade to 6^th grade) and especially in High School. Anyway, l lost that “title” for some reasons; one clearly would be because of my laziness. I was too sluggish to do this or that and I procrastinate a lot too. As a result my average lowered a few points. A few freaking points! I still could have been in that list; sadly that was what fate brought me.

I just wanted to keep the title to make my parents proud. I mean I had no awards whatsoever back in my early days, academically speaking that is. I had recognition from drawing contests and such but that was seldom. It was like a huge gift to them. The looks on their faces when they knew I was on the list, that I was allegedly one of those smart or studious people at my college, was just priceless. Well, I just don’t believe I am that smart, I mean come on, all those years of being an average student to a Dean’s Lister. Who knew I was capable of becoming one? I felt as if it was a joke at first.

These academic titles weren’t much of big deal to me when I was younger. As of now though, I really won’t mind if I do get my name on that displayed list again or not. (Seeing my performance for this semester, I don’t think I will) I’ll just do my best and study well enough and just acquire good grades and skills which could appeal to my future employers. I know my parents will still be proud of me once I graduate from college. I guess…

Wish me luck on my Finals week!

P.S. I would like to credit the following for the resources/textures/pngs I used for my background and header: hellotherelily, sodust, SweetSoulSister, sodust again, mellowmint, aulxdayz, crazykira-resources, 99mockingbirds and to the others I couldn't find the URLs.