The K-Pop Arms

Didn’t realize I’d be enjoying the new SBS reality show “Roommate” so much- I’d initially only tuned into it because I'd already seen the hilarious footage of the messy Afterschool dorm  when they went to interview cast-member Nana before she moved into the Roommate Building. The first episode was pretty much what I expected (awkward greetings and small talk among residents), though it was pretty cool seeing a side of Nana I hadn't before, I wasn't sure how much I'd be checking into the show.

Nana and Hong Soohyun

This all changed with the second episode and the sole reason for this sudden spark of interest in the show is because it was episode two when eccentric “4-Dimensional” 2NE1 vocalist Park Bom showed up! Holy CRAP, I FORGOT how freaking fun she is- she has SO MUCH personality and dizzy attitude that from the MINUTE she showed up, she had me cracking up and wanting to tune in for more! 

The One and Only Park Bom

From waking everyone up at 3 in the morning as she tried (unsuccessfully) to get ready for bed while the others slept, and finally giving up and sleeping in the living room (and how hilarious when the late night arrivals came home and found her sleeping there, LOL)

 ...to mischievously sneaking drinks and snacks into her bed and nibbling them under the sheets when she thinks no one is looking: 

...as well as talking to the cameras in her room like they are real life friends standing right next to her, it was like watching 2NE1TV all over again!

examining the camera as Song Gayeon looks on

 I’ll admit, when the other (guy) roommates are on, I ain’t that interested, but BOY, whenever Bom is there, it is as fresh and funny as anything! Recently, both Nana and Lee Sora have stated how much they love Bom, and it’s easy to see why- she is so naive and sapcey about things, she’s like a wide-eyed innocent child- a child who can belt out the ballads like a goddess!

Orange Caramel meets 2NE1

Future best Buddies Nana and Bom

Bom's quirky habit of speaking exactly what's on her mind has also paved the way for some fun scenarios like when she confessed that she wasn't keen on "Mom" Shin Sung Woo cooking their meals with his full mustached and bearded face, so with her pressuring, they trooped out into the yard to shave it off! Bom giggled throughout the segment, and when Shin needed water to wash off the shaving cream and she sprayed her water moisturizer all over his face, she was dying with laughter! So much fun!

"Mom" Shin shaving off his beard and mustache at Bom's request

 And trips to go shopping haven't been so entertaining since that 2NE1TV show when they went to London- as usual, Bom's 4-dimensional way of tlaking ans thinking had everyone cracking up!

Just shopping with the girls

 ...and even back at home, she's entertaining just sitting in bed all day (which she does, all the time, ahaha) bonus points for her venturing out sans makeup- though she DID have a bit of shyness when Nana came into the room straight from a Music Show appearance in full glamoured-up makeup!

Eeek! You're so pretty and I'm all ughhhh!

 Aw man, sad to say, I've been hearing quite a bit about how poorly the show is doing in the ratings, but for MY money, it's all the other boring storylines that are bringing the show down (I'm particularly bugged by the forced "lovelines" that they're always trying to start between flatmates) because when Bom is onscreen, it is 100% pure fun entertainment!

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Orange Caramel and Apink Arrival!

Autographed Orange Caramel album "Catallena"

  Joining the ever-growing list of "K-pop Albums I already had but then an Autographed Special came up so I ended up buying another copy" comes the latest with Orange Caramel's "Catallena". This was even more frustrating at the time because the Autographed Special came out just hours after I'd ordered my "regular" copy, but as you can see, it was WELL worth it, because I now own an album signed by all three Orange Caramel Members, including Lizzy who's been one of my very favorite idols since the beginning!
Along with it came a very nice Orange Caramel drink coaster...  when the special said it would come with a coaster, I imagined a cardboard cutout thing, this coaster is of a higher wuality- almost like  mousepad material... Oh, and the trading card I got was Nana! Two copies of Catallena? NO PROBLEM!

APink "Pink Blossom" with Trading Cards

After weeks of watching my fellow APink fans (generally called “Pink Pandas”) all getting their PINK BLOSSOM orders in, MY package finally came, and though the CD itself is superb, with a hardcover photobook as usual, OH MY GOSH the POSTER that caem with the album is FREAKING BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Such high quality paper, too (seems to be some kind of photopaper?) WOW!

The official trading card I got was of Eunji, but they also included this double sided card with Naeun and Namjoo... So cool- even better is that since I ordered it during their pre-order special, the Poster came UNFOLDED and ABSOLUTELY FREE!! Hope they have MORE of these kind of specials, kekekeke 

APink Pink Blossom Poster.

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The AfterSchool Word Of The Day is "Mu-Mo"

 During interview promotions for their new Japanese album “Dress To Kill”, when asked what their favorite track off the release was, several members of Afterschool (including my bias, Lizzy) said they particularly liked the song “Lucky Girl” because it was a cheerful song, but added that it was only available on the “mu-mo” version. Mu-Mo??? What the HECK was mu-mo?
   Well after chatting with a few folks over at the Kayoforum Afterschool thread, I found out that this "mu-mo" referred to Japan-exclusive releases (mostly available through the Japan fanclubs) but some copies occasionally turned up on ebay and the like. As it was not only Lizzy and Nana’s favorite tune, but also a fun, bright, happy track, (and ya know I just LOVE pop!) I just HAD to have it!
   Luck was on my side as only a few days after I got my Deluxe Version of “Dress To Kill”, a dealer in Japan listed a few copies of the Mo-mu version of Dress To Kill! It was a bit pricey and I wasn’t too thrilled about buying a copy of an album I already HAD, but Dress to Kill was soooo, soooo good, having the Mo-mu version with Lucky Girl was going to be a cherry on the top! I ordered it, and in just a few DAYS, it arrived!

  Gotta say I was a bit disappointed by it only being a regular jewel-case CD (even though I already knew from looking at pictures of other mo-mu releases that they ALL come in regular jewel cases)…But upon OPENING the case, I saw which member version of the actual CD I got- and it was ONCE AGAIN none other than the Busan Girl herself, LIZZY!!!

Yes, Lizzy was also my random member trading card in the Deluxe Edition album, and when you consider even my Orange Caramel trading card was Lizzy, the Park Sooyoung Gods have truly been smiling down upon me these past few weeks, as ALL my random bonus goodies have been Lizzy!

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It's Catallena Time!

Orange Caramel "Catallena" CD!

  I'd already put in my order for  Orange Caramel's new mini-album "Catallena" from K-pop dealer Kpoptown, but when Soompi offered up the same album AUTOGRAPHED, I had to order that one, too! So I knew I had two copies of the Afterschool sub-unit's new release on the way.
  Well, just today (along with my aforementioned 4Minute album) the initial Catallena order arrived, and though this wasn't the autographed one, I still was pretty excited upon getting it! The CD looks very nice and WOW! The free poster that came with it is beautiful! 

Catallena poster with CD for scale

Standing at 20x31, this totally made up for any misgivings I had ordering two of the same thing! And the cherry on the top was the fact that the bonus card I got was once again my bias LIZZY!!!  Thought at first I'd have to give the second copy away, but maybe I'll hold on to both of them, Hee Hee Hee....

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Back To (After)School with New Japanese Album "Dress To Kill"

AfterSchool "Dress To Kill" Deluxe Edition

  Well, it was a long wait, but finally today, my copy of Afterschool’s new Japanese album release “Dress To Kill” arrived! I ws originally going to order the basic version, but when I saw how beautiful the deluxe edition was, I knew I had to get that one! The regular version is in yellow (and housed ina regular jewel case type), but the deluxe one comes in purple, a hue which somehow makes ALL the difference!

  The Deluxe version, besides being housed in a DVD sized clamshell as well as a slipcase, comes with a bonus DVD including the videos for songs “Heaven” and both regular and dance versions for their song  “Shhh”.   The DVD disc ALSO included an awesome live mini- concert featuring songs Diva, Flashback, Heaven, Crazy Driver and Slow Love as well as a fun 40 minute fanmeeting with the audience!!

  And if THAT wasn’t enough, the bonus card that came with my CD was none other than my bias, Lizzy!!! Given that with so many members it was a 1 in 8 chance I’d get her, I sure felt lucky!

Wheeee! I get my bias Lizzy for the trading card!

Can’t wait to take this CD out for a spin!!!!

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