KMI

expanding horizons

[fymonsta-x]

[INTERVIEW] Wonho’s Exclusive Interview with Dispatch

[Dispatch = Reporter Kim Soo-ji]

“In fact, I wasn’t at peace.”

I asked why.

“I know my fault...”

Wonho took out his past.

”Any words would only be excuses. I was wrong.“

He continued.

”So I did my best. So that I would never live like that again.“

Then he talked about his love for the fans.

“I have receive something that’s called love. So at least, I don’t want to disappoint them.”

Dispatch interviewed Wonho, who was active as Monsta X, in February, when the investigation of marijuana accusation was in action.

“Yes, I admit my past. I was childish. I am trying to not live like that. I only think about the other members, the group, our fans.”

And added. It was all a misunderstanding.

“I didn’t do marijuana. The police is currently investigating it. When my innocence is proven, please write my story.”

”I want to apologize and I want to clear the misunderstandings. And I want to earn apology.“ Then he told the story of his childhood.

◆ "Those days, I was unhappy”

A rental apartment in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do. A (small) living room and one room were all. There, he lived with his grandmother, father, mother and younger brother.

“Until I was 20, we lived in a small rented apartment. My grandma had the room so my father, my mother, me and my brother had to sleep in the living room together. I didn’t know it was poverty, back then.”

Then when he entered elementary school, he couldn’t get along with his friends. And he was bullied. He was made miserable, repeatedly. Wonho was a timid child with a lot of fears.

“One day they bullied me because I was dirty, the other day because I was boring. My friends hated me. To be honest this is a memory I don’t want to recall.

"In other words, I was an outcast. My house was not peaceful, either. Because my parents often fought. So I spent more time outside, everyday. Then I met some unfamiliar hyungs on the neighbourhood, and I followed them around.”

◆ “Being bad was better”

Then after that, no one bullied him. In fact, he felt like he was the one who scared them. And he said he liked how his friends felt uncomfortable with him.

“One day, I bumped with the friend who used to bully me. Unconsciously I flinched. But that friend said 'Hoseok, I’m sorry’ first.

Suddenly I felt good. I shouldn’t though..’ Wonho stopped being an outcast. But he wasn’t happy. And even his personality changed. It was when he was at the high school.

"That day too, my parents were fighting. I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe. I no longer saw hope (in my house). I left the house without any plan.

I didn’t know the price of a family back then.” The outside world was more dangerous. He met with new friends and things went awry. His friends received received punishment for special theft. Wonho was placed on probation.

“I don’t want to blame my friends. Because that was my choice too. I know it sounds like and excuse, but I was childish. It’s my fault. I did wrong. I’m sorry.”

◆ “I have a dream”

Wonho’s teenage was empty. But then when he was at the second grade of high school he met Jung Daeun.

“We got close pretty soon. We became fitting model together. Daeun helped me a lot. She cheered me so I can dream my dream to become a singer.”

Before his 20s, Wonho, no, Hoseok was rough. He blamed the reality and went off the way. But after his 20s, Lee Hoseok, no, Wonho changed. He countered the reality and became better.

“I saw some friends who practiced like crazy. They were dreaming something called ‘dream’. I was ashamed. I lived only by blaming others.. So I promised. That I would not waste my life any longer.”

Then Wonho practiced day and night. He went to the company whenever he could. When he needed to practice alone, he would go to the emergency stairs and practiced there.

“With my fellow trainees I danced and sang over night. It wasn’t hard. Because I got the hope that 'there’s a future for me, too.’ I was happy. And I also really liked living together with them. I learned a lot for 4 years.”

◆ "The past stood in the way”

Then he debut with Monsta X in 2015. He released 12 albums in Korea. America, Europe and Asia. It paid off. At the time, they ranked 39th in the 'Billboard’ Pop songs chart (2019). It was the third time in K-pop history.

And Wonho ran for the future too in 2019. But then his past tripped him. The accusation of debt, theft and even marijuana use in 2013.

“There’s my fault, but there’s a misunderstanding too. Of course it’s something I cant reverse. Being in a similar environment doesn’t mean that I go out of line too. I reflected a lot when I was under probation (for special theft).”

Wonho no longer gives excuses. He admits his past and he was sorry for it. But for the marijuana use, he strongly denied. He never touched any drugs at all.

“I admit the problem with my past. But what’s not is not. I never do marijuana. And I have explained this part clearly to the police.”

And after the investigation for more than 5 months, they released the statement that there’s no proof of him using marijuana. And they also investigated about the other drugs but there’s no proof either.

◆ “I didn’t want to hurt you”

Wonho left his group in October. “I was really doing my best to prepare for the new album. I really hate seeing Monsta X fall (because of me). I thought that dropping out sooner would be the path for the group to live. I wanted to block the damage as best as I could.”

One more, there’s Monbebe in his decision.

“I can talk about this confidently. After I met Monbebe, I changed a lot. I know how it felt to be loved. I want to live my life even better day by day.”

According to him, he only had Monbebe. His daily life was all about composing, working out and communication (with Monbebe). He actually talked with Monbebe for 3-4 hours during the world tour via V Live.

“Actually it’s the first time I ever felt those warmth. So I don’t want to disappoint them. I only want to do the things that the fans like. I want to return the love. But…”

◆ "But I’m sorry”

He recalled his past and wondered what he could do. And the only answer was withdrawal. He thought that that would (at least) lessen the fans’ pain.

“I have promised a lot to my fans. I said I would always be by their side. I’m sorry I could only leave you like this. I live only by looking at you, though..”

Then he explained why he could only do that.

“I lived my past as Lee Hoseok, and now I live as Wonho. Is Wonho responsible for the things Hoseok did? I have to be. At the end, my past hurt you. I want to lessen your pain.”

Wonho didn’t go out of the house for a long time. He was afraid it would give damage to the people around him so he lived holding his breath. And then he was free from the accusation of marijuana. He said it was a relief.

“Even now I can’t forget my fans. Rather, I regret it. I should have treated you better. I just want to say I’m sorry, that’s why I did this interview.”

Translation by @nunudanaa Original article at Dispatch

[officialkmi]

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned

Oof...my heart. I watched this after work and didn’t finish until 1:30 AM. Instead of going to sleep, I instantly wanted to share it with you all.

Vanishing Time tells the story of young Su-Rin, who lives with her stepdad after her mom has died and moves to an island because of his work. She befriends Seung-Min and joins him and his two friends on a trip to the mountain. During a man-made 3.6 Earthquake, the children go missing and only Su-Rin is found. However, after several days, a man appears claiming to be her missing friend Seung-Min, despite being significantly older.

While this video above is not the official trailer, I honestly like it better than any trailers. Sometimes fanmade is better, yeah? And that’s coming from a blog that has its own fan-video YouTube channel, so you know my preference.

The movie itself is extremely sad. I found myself choked up during several points (I’m not one to cry) and I honestly wanted a different ending. However, I also think that the ending worked based on the framing.

The movie starts with Su-Rin being interviewed by a woman who will write a book on her story. She’s been called a liar, told she should die, and targeted all because she helped the man who kidnapped her friends escape. She says she wants to tell her story. no lies.

While watching the movie, it’s easy to forget that we are hearing things from Su-Rin’s story. We don’t know how reliable she is as a narrator. In fact, the story actually gives us reason to believe she’s an unreliable narrator. She’s framed as a pathological liar by the media within her story, and it’s clear she’s been through a lot. Due to the fantasy elements of the story, it gives the viewer reason to doubt the child while also wanting to believe her.

I left the story with two opinions for the reality:

1) Su-Rin told the truth about everything. The man really was her friend Seung-Min. They never compared the fingerprints, which would have proven the man’s story, and they never did find the bodies of the other two missing children. Only one body was recovered. Thus, the fate of two of the boys was never really confirmed outside Su-Rin’s story. I also am held at the reminder that this is a movie and we’re meant to suspend reasoning when watching one. You don’t always want to limit yourself to saying, “Well, that’s impossible.” Finally, I do want to point out that, after her interview ends, we are shown Su-Rin meeting up with an older man who resembles both forms of Seung-Min that she meets. That is outside the narrative Su-Rin provides, and, as such, easier to believe.

2) Su-Rin liked Seung-Min and also was the only survivor of the incident. We only find one body of the boys, giving reason to believe that it could have eaten away at her to the point where she would do anything to believe that Seung-Min was still alive, even if it was as an adult. We are given examples of the man being able to have just been a random pedophile who was obsessed with Su-Rin. Someone clearly had been in that house before, learning to carve soap. As such, he could have had the talent to carve the scene of Su-Rin from behind (which we are made to believe is her in the cave) even without actually seeing her. Maybe he was responsible for the kidnappings, or maybe he just took advantage of the fact that Su-Rin was in a fragile state and would be desperate to believe Seung-Min was alive. I believe that we are given reason to believe that, until the man appears, Su-Rin suffers from survivor’s guilt. After all, she’s being yelled at and blamed by adults because she was the only one found after the event since she isn’t able to help them find the others.

Overall, both options seem very reasonable. I, personally, like to believe option 1 because I am an optimist. However, I’d like to compare this “which is the truth” to the book “Life of Pi,” where we are given two choices to believe on the narrator’s journey. Did he really survive in a boat with a tiger...or were the animals the way his mind saw the people instead? Things like this, which force us to question the narrator’s reliability are great to enjoy. I believe they are best, though, when you have people who have watched or read them as well, so that you can compare notes and see different opinions on the story. As such, I’d like to ask you, my readers, to tell me what you think if you have seen the movie. If you have not, but intend to, please share your opinion after watching it! I am eager to learn more and also have more people to feel sad at the bittersweet ending with.

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned is available on Netflix.

[officialkmi]

Top 5 MVs with Crazy Editing

I’m not usually a fan of over-the-top SFX or anything, but sometimes I find a video that does it well. It doesn’t look bad, and it’s actually kinda fun to watch. As a video editor, I like finding MVs that are well edited in a way that feels unique.

So, here are my top 5 crazy edited videos.

#5: Cactus by A.C.E

When I think “over the top” editing, I think A.C.E since most of their MVs usually look like the were just having fun with different editing styles. Callin’ especially has that over the top editing style where it looks like they just wanted to see what they could do with their editing software. However, with the sound of the song, it works well. It’s not the best, but it’s something that I will always think of when I think of over-the-top editing.

#4: Will You Be My Girlfriend? by M.O.N.T

The only reason this one didn’t rank higher was because it isn’t as over-the-top as the other three that ranked above it. It’s an upbeat song, like rank #3 and makes the editing work well with the theme of the song. However, it’s not quite as crazy. I love this music video and am a firm believer that the editing was very well done.

#3: Idol by BTS

Not many of BTS’ videos are really “over the top” with editing. However, Idol is. Which is great because, with the attention the group began to game, a lot of western fans, many of whom had never heard of BTS, began saying they expected the group to adhere to specific video styles or sounds and even to release music in English. However, BTS isn’t an American group. They’re a Korean one. So, BTS did a complete 180 and released this bright song that happened to go against everything people had told them not to do (like RM using filters + V wearing fake glasses). It was all them loving themselves, and it fit with the over the top editing that people hadn’t wanted to see in KPop videos.

#2: Breaking Down by Day6

Day6 goes one of two ways with their videos. Either they’re really tame in editing or they’re over the top. Granted, they have one or two that aren’t exactly tame per se, but they’re still not anywhere near as over the top as videos like Breaking Down. However, Day6 makes it work because of their sound. When deciding the best video for this list, I almost chose “days gone by” since the editing really fit the feel of the video, but decided Breaking Down was a better example.

#1: X-Pheomenon by Monsta X

Anyone who knows me knows I love Monsta X. I very seldom find a song of theirs that I don’t like. In the case of X-Phenomenon, it’s the exact sound I love when released by Monsta X, and I fully believe that the over the top editing works well with their style and sound. Very few groups can properly pull off the level of editing that was put into this video. However, Monsta X can really do anything they want, in my opinion, and make it work. That’s just how talented they are. Because they tend to have this rougher sound to them (for lack of a better word), editing styles featuring a lot of jumps, quick cuts, and even SFX are well suited to their videos.

Honorable Mention: Adore U by SEVENTEEN

This video was released in 2015, meaning it’s currently four years old. It’s a fun video with lots of editing and it honestly makes me tear up a bit while watching because of how much they’ve grown. I’m so proud of the progress they’ve made. While the video itself isn’t what I’d say “well done” in terms of over the top editing, it was something fun to watch and enjoyable. I would never say this video is bad because it’s one of those videos that was good when it came out four years ago. I still love it and I still love watching it.

[officialkmi]

My Top 5 Rappers

Okay, so, I love listening to rappers, and it’s not uncommon for my to bias a rapper in a KPop group (if I don’t bias the rapper, then they’re my bias wrecker). I feel like there’s a lot of emotion that can be put into a rap song, and I like when they rap about something other than sex or how much money they have or whatever. I’m a broke asexual, that doesn’t resonate with me.

Now, when reading this list, you’ll see there’s some overlap between the artists I like. I’ll compare their music, but only to show why I love it so much. I’ll talk about the videos, but only to talk about the style I enjoy seeing. You’ll also see that not all of the artists are Korean, and not all belong to a KPop group.

Without further ado- Here’s my Top 5 Rappers.

#5: NF

Okay, show of hands, who has heard of NF? I gave him the #5 entry because I haven’t heard a lot of his music, but I really like what I have heard. His songs are real, talking about mental illness and struggles. While the video I link is “When I Grow Up,” it was “Real” that inspired me to make this list. "Real” is from 2016, and the sound of it brought memories of RM’s earlier work (particularly, “Joke,” especially with the aesthetic of the music video in the “abandoned” location).

What’s really amazing about NF’s songs is that they’re something real and relatable. Its not just “hey look at me! I get all the girls and I’m rich!” Instead, it’s him rapping about mental illness, triggering topics, etc. With that, I want to warn readers that look into his music that some videos and songs can contain triggering topics, so proceed with caution.

#4: BANG YONGGUK

I am a very casual Yongguk fan. I never really got into B.A.P, but I love the solo work he’s released since leaving the group (not to say it’s good he left, but just to say I only started listening to him after).

While he’s released a video since “Hikikomori" came out, I have to say that I still favor “Hikikomori.” It’s a song that’s very honest about his experiences and what hes been through. It takes a lot for people to be able to be open about things like mental health and what they experience, especially when your every move is being watched by the public. Korea also isn’t known for their excellent viewpoint of mental health and mental illnesses (as we can see with the tragic lost of SHINee’s Jonghyun and BIGBANG’s T.O.P’s attempted suicide). Idols don’t have a lot of freedom to open up, and it’s really only in these past few years that I’ve noticed Koreal idols being more open with their experiences.

I think it is great that Yongguk was open about his stories, as it is something extremely personal. I feel like this is something listeners can relate to much better than a song about getting girls.

#3: Agust D

When it comes to Agust D, I love the speed, the lyrics, everything. I can easily say I still have his songs on my playlist years after their release. The self-titled track “Agust D” is probably one of my top three in his mixtape. I still remember the day it came out. I was on another website, watching as people posted updates and reactions to the MV. They were mostly freaking out over him cussing and flipping off the camera. I loved it. I had always kinda been interested in Suga, he had this dark air around him that made me want to know more, and I didn’t know a lot of people that biased him. This video really made me even more interested and his mixtape really helped highlight his abilities to fans that maybe hadn’t had a chance to look into it.

I still remember jokes online when J-Hope’s mixtape got added to Superstar BTS and fans were doing their best to succeed. They said that the day they add any Agust D songs is the day our thumbs fall off.

I love it. And I always will.

#2: Jackson Wang

I’m not gonna lie, all of Jackson’s solo work has been either a hit or a miss for me. I like his music genuinely, or I kinda laugh at the lyrics. I like that he’s stepping into a different style, in a sense. Most fans know him for his role in GOT7 as a rapper (with amazing arms and a cute smile). Many fans also know he is from Hong Kong. So, when I heard he first released a solo, I expected it to be in Chinese (like how EXO’s Yixing’s solos are) or Korean. I was pleasantly surprised each time he released a song to find out they’re in English, even though I knew he speaks English. I feel like, of all the languages, I just didn’t expect it.

That’s why he’s number two. He didn’t do something expected. I feel like he’s found a style he likes and is sticking to it, and I am 100% positive that the songs will get better in time, just as GOT7′s music grew over time. Unlike the other rappers on the list, he isn’t releasing songs in his native language or the language he’s been rapping in whenever he’s on concert. He’s doing something different, and I’d be shocked if it’s not a bit of a challenge for him. That’s admirable, and we like admirable.

#1: J-Hope

Throw stuff at me virtually all you want for including two BTS members, but I can’t help myself.

I honestly couldn’t decide which JHope song to link for this one. I love all of his solo songs, though I am partial to “Hangsang,” “Airplane,” “Boy Meets Evil” (that dancing, am I right?), “Daydream,” and “Mama.” I actually did a project in college where I wrote about how the lyrics of “Mama” related to the story we had read. Granted, I bullshitted the entire essay since I did not actually read the story. I just wanted to write about a JHope song.

While I support all of BTS’ members, J-Hope was actually one of the last two members I learned to identify and came to love. It breaks my heart, looking back. He stole my heart while watching him perform “Mama” live when I saw BTS during their Wings tour. Seeing his energy and how much he was enjoying himself, especially with the fans going “Hey mama!” with him...it warmed my heart.

A lot of rappers on this list have a dark aesthetic, especially with their music videos. Hoseok really switches things up, as he almost always seems to have a contagious smile on his face. While RM and Agust D’s (Suga’s) music videos for their first mix tapes were dark and gritty, Hoseok kept his bright and cheerful. That’s why he’s #1: he’s done something I have yet to see another idol do.

HONORABLE MENTION: HyunA

I 100% was going to make HyunA #2 instead of Jackson (sorry, Jackson) but...as far as I’m aware, she hasn’t released anything yet since leaving CUBE (because CUBE sucks and we support HyunA’s right to date). It’s expected, of course, since it hasn’t been long and it takes time to produce music and make music videos and all that. I want to support her fully once she’s releasing music at the new company, and as such prevented myself from listing her.

I will say, though, I love her style, her confidence, and her voice. She’s great because I feel like there’s nothing she can’t do.

[officialkmi]

Theory of Love Episode 3: Friends with Benefits

Sorry I’m a week late reviewing this episode. Long story short, I started a new job and it’s exhausting. I want a desk job.

Anyway, this episode has been one I’ve been thinking about all week. I actually chose to update the review as I went.

The one thing that concerns me most is the name of the episode, “Friends with Benefits.” I didn’t know the episode name until I started, but lemme tell ya...ouch. Due to my own experiences, I never like anything involving “Friends with Benefits” involved, so I get a little hesitant when that’s a theme or episode name. The important question is whether or not the episode met my expectations on the name, or if it did something better.

Emotions

The third episode starts on a lighthearted note: the guys giving Khai a hard time because he never bothered to buy proper home things, like plates and cups. He spends all his money on useless stuff, which I think is something a lot of people can relate to. During the shopping scene, it stays lighthearted as you watch Third and Khai goofing off around the store. Between the opening and the intro, it’s really soft and makes me happy to watch. The great thing is that the happy tone continues, even as Two judges the matching mugs that Khai picked out. 

I do like that they changed tones before the first part was over. I also liked how it brought to the screen exactly what I knew would happen: Khai continues being Khai and brings a girl over. Khai’s a player, and having a roommate isn’t going to change that. Even though Khai did declare that he’d stop dating, we all knew that wasn’t going to be likely. Surely enough, he brings a girl home quickly, giving Third no warning that she’ll be joining them for dinner.

The emotions in this episode still do a good job of going back and forth. However, by part three it did feel a little heavy. Even the last part, while positive in nature, was still heavy. I’d like to see some humor in the next episode,

What I liked

It was so wholesome watching Third and Khai shopping. It gave a pure feeling. Also, the matching mugs. So wholesome. So happy. Two even compares the mugs to something a married couple would have!

Two teasing Third, encouraging his feelings for Khai, is always going to make him my favorite character. He’s a bit clueless, but he still is supportive and does his best. He’s teasing with Third, saying “you’re even a husband or wife” when Third’s wearing an apron and making Khai’s dinner. Two himself is really given a lot of character building in this episode, and it also shows part of why he likely chose to support Third’s one sided love. He’s been through that himself.

I think that this episode’s first part really brings attention to just how alone Third is. All of his friends are getting with girls, but he’s left alone with nothing to do while dealing with his one-sided love and pain.

I also liked the ending of this episode. I won’t say what choice Third makes, but I’m oddly satisfied with it. I didn’t think I would be okay with it, but I am. It gives a good enough reason, especially considering how long Third has held onto these feelings. The next episode’s preview gives hopes of better times ahead, but I have a feeling it will just be more pining.

Thoughts on Khai

It’s episode three and we’re really seeing better sides of Khai. He’s slowly becoming a character we can like. He takes Third shopping with him, saying Third should get a say since he’s living with Khai and the two have lots of fun in the store (Ikea?) together. However, he can be reckless with his words and actions. He tells Third that them shopping is “like a scene in 500 Days of Summer...It’s so romantic.” Of course, we as the viewers know how that affects Third, whom I hope we’re all really pitying at this point. He also insists on matching mugs, which conveniently perfectly represent him and Third in the their group. Third tries to dismiss it and suggest others, but Khai is clueless and gets them anyway.

Khai himself in this episode makes it hard to decide if I like him or not. When the mug breaks, a mug that had perfectly represented Third, he puts his focus on Fahsai and says “Third will handle this.” He doesn’t apologize for the mug, and instead goes straight to asking Third to leave for the night. He’s so shameless, even saying, “It might be a while. I’m Mr. Khai who can go all night.” I’ve never wanted to hit a main character more. Then, we he gets bored with Fahsai, he tells Third to deal with her because he’s already moved on to Migeul. He uses Third as a personal slave, telling him to make a good dinner so Migeul will come back often.

This episode really leaves the viewer feeling conflicted. He does things that make you hate him, but he also does things that make you love him. He’s like a yoyo. By the end, I’m given the impression that Khai knows his actions were hurting Third. I think he knows that it’s upsetting his friend. That’s why he makes an effort to make things easier. He may have even known Third was considering moving out. After all, Third has to put up with a lot of his shit.

New Characters

Obviously, we meet Fahsai in this episode. However, she’s a girl that Khai’s with, so it’s pretty easy to assume she’s not anyone of significance (sorry, Fahsai). We do get to see her being polite, and then later a total b****, though. She’s clearly possessive to the point of even trying to demand Third let him see her phone because she can’t get in touch with Khai.

We also meet Lynn, who is given this slow intro while Two stares at her. For those who like SOTUS, you may recognize her as May. We’re given more info on her than we were given on Pan. She’s a broadcasting major, she knew Two in high school, she can identify photos taken by Two just by looking, and it’s pretty much hinted at that she may be “the one who got away” with Two. Perhaps a love that he never got to chase. Two’s smile while they interact is wholesome, I really couldn’t help but squee a little.

Final thoughts

We’ve pretty much been given three ships to support, at this point. The main one is, of course, Third and Khai. Last episode gave us Pan and Bone (though they did not really progress in this episode, and Pan doesn’t even appear). Now, we’re being given Lynn and Two. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a romantic at heart or if it’s because I just happen to really like Bone and Two, but I hope that we do get to see them both getting to be happy with their crushes. Or happy in general.

I also hope the next episode is as positive as the preview makes it look. After all, we’ve been having our emotions really played with, especially in this episode. Every positive moment had a sad element to it, and I feel like Third is setting himself up to get hurt because he’s letting himself get hopeful. I want him to be happy.

[officialkmi]

RPM by SF9

I’m always excited for an SF9 comeback, even if I don’t necessarily listen to them that much or support them as much as I should. I really am a casual fan. I like getting to expose others to their music, since I really do think they’re talented. I just have too much on my plate right now to hard stan another group.

Overall Sound

I love the sound SF9 always delivers. It still feels a little retro, to my older KPop fan ears, but it still is unique and fun to listen. I’m always impressed with the vocals of SF9, which is why I’m always eager for a chance to review their music. I’ve never heard a song by them that wasn’t a bop, and I’m always quick to add their music to my iTunes main playlist for when I drive.

I will say, though, that if I heard this song, I might mistake it for a Monsta X song because of the sound. As such, I guess they don’t really count as unique, but it’s still a sound I like. After all, I love Monsta X, which is why I think I’m attracted to SF9′s sound. It’s similar to Monsta X’s.

MV

My favorite thing about the entire MV is the opening. I love the way the camera starts as if you’re below, but then slowly rises. I’m cheesy like that. The MV itself left me asking myself “What did I just watch?” though, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. I liked the use of the harnesses and the all-white outfits, but the outfits during the MV’s “story” looked kinda like a retro idea of what fashion in the future will be.

I’m not quite sure how I feel overall about the MV. I liked the music, I liked the hair, I liked the dancing, but overall the MV left me with more questions than it answered. I still don’t get the story.

Choreography

In order to properly see the choreography, I relied on this video. I have to say, the choreography overall left something to be desired. It didn’t have any “WOW!” moments. I feel like this may just be me holding them to a higher standard, though. I always love their vocals, so of course I expect greatness in other areas, too. I feel like, after seeing the choreography for “Enough,” I’m a little spoiled and hoped for good things this time around, too.

I’d listen to this song if I was...

Driving, no matter the season. I would probably set it up to play right after or right before a Monsta X song, as I like the two similar sounds with gorgeous vocals. I think that they’re suited best for before work music, though. Something to get me pumped. However, it could also work when grocery shopping or running other errands.

You might like this song if you like...

Honestly, my opinion hasn’t changed much since my review of “Enough.” I still get heavy Monsta X vibes. I feel bad that I can’t really compare them to anything else, but the two have a sound that’s pretty unique to the KPop world...

[officialkmi]

My Top 5 Webcomics

For the record, these are webcomics I read ages ago, whether I finished them or not, or ones I am reading now, which means that they’re not yet finished. I haven’t really been reading webcomics as much these days, but back in high school I read a ton. It was actually pretty hard to just pick five, as I have fond memories of a lot of webcomics that I think got dropped by the creator, were dropped by me, may still be going on, or may have already finished.

I’m kinda curious what webcomics are out there now and which ones y’all’d recommend. Lemme know and I’ll make a list of those, with links, to share with others, too. I’ll even note if I’ve read it or want to read it!

(Also, I changed up the format of the list. Going from 5 to 1 because everyone’s going to unfollow me when I list #1).

#5: Ava’s Demon

I was drawn to the art style for this webcomic. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I wasn’t that invested in the characters or storyline, honestly, as much as the artwork. I wish I’d kept reading it, as I remember eagerly waiting to see who the silhouetted characters were. I actually just checked the “cast” page and was shocked to find no one new has really been added since I stopped reading. It’s kinda a let down, haha.

I stopped reading this because one of the people I hung out with in school started bashing the creator for some drama I don’t recall when xey found out I read it. I was desperate for friends, so I stopped reading since I felt like reading it was something wrong.

If anyone reads Ava’s Demon, I’d love to know if the story has made any decent progress. Who knows? I might start reading it again.

#4: Monster Pop!

I will probably never pick this webcomic up again, I’ll be honest. I started reading it, it was great, and then I just stopped around the same time I stopped reading all my other webcomics.

However, I  followed Maya Kern on Facebook this year, and I love seeing her art. She has such a pretty style. It’s soft and gives me soft feelings.

I thought, back in the day, that the plot was cool. But now, all I can tell you is that it involves monsters and humans. The cast back when I read it wasn’t nearly as big as it is now, which is good. I think I started reading when it was relatively new, so I had to check back each week for updates. It was great.

I actually like the characters, and I feel like I’d be able to relate to a lot of them if I read it again. Maya definitely gets points for diversity, which is a must have for any webcomic featuring monsters. If your cast features creatures, but they all look the same or are relatively similar gender-wise, you’re probably failing. Maya not only has a great cast, but they’re of different body types. I love seeing her body-positive art on Facebook when I’m scrolling through my feed.

#3: Check, Please!

Okay, so a few months ago I was thinking about this webcomic. I remember thinking it was as adorable as webcomics came, really. I loved the art style and I loved the story (spoiler: it’s not straight).

Then, last month, I hung out with a friend and saw it had a published version. It took all my willpower to remind myself I was about to be unemployed and could not afford to splurge on a copy. One day, though, it will be mine.

Keep in mind, while the main story is about hockey players, you don’t actually have to understand anything about Hockey to enjoy it. I know nothing about sports in general, and I almost always refuse to sit through anything but Basketball. So, if I’m saying it’s good, believe me!

#2: Trying Human

This was, by far, one of my favorite webcomics ever. Back in the day, the background on my phone was actually a side ship in it (pretty sure I did not have an iPhone back then). I’ve kinda debated reading it again. It was really cute and I enjoyed it so much.

It’s a bit nerdy, in that it is a sci-fi webcomic. It also has a small following, in that I’ve never met anyone else who has ever read it. However, if you like to enjoy lesser known media, I highly recommend Trying Human. Tell your friends about it, too. It’s a good webcomic and I think I’d enjoy reading it again.

#1: Homestuck

Surprise, admin is absolute trash. I’m so sorry to my dear readers.

I started Homestuck in High School because of a recommendation an online friend gave me, but I didn’t finish it until a year or two ago. It got to the point where I had Pesterchum on my laptop, I made fan videos (I even did one to a SHINee song and one to a B1A4 song), I tried voice acting, I wrote fanfic (no, I won’t link it), I roleplayed, I followed artists, and I even managed to make some cool IRL friends because of it. I actually wore my Dirk Strider shirt and carried around an Orange Crush my senior year Halloween because we weren’t technically allowed to dress up. And, yes, I play Hiveswap (but I didn’t play the Troll game where you meet the trolls).

While the fandom gets a bad rep, Homestuck was something I used to make friends. It was something that seemed to grow with me. I also loved the representation among characters, the way they grew (or didn’t grow). It was a story that, while confusing, was something I could really enjoy myself with.

Plus, I’d never have found my all-time favorite artist (Ikimaru) if not for Homestuck. Even though they no longer do Homestuck fanart, I love their art and it’s now my dream to one day be able to commission them.

HONORABLE MENTION: High Class Homos by Momozerii

1) This webcomic can be read on instagram or on tapas. I don’t use Tapas to read webcomics, but I feel like I did in the past during my webcomic addiction? It’s hard to remember. I read it on Instagram and give all my love.

2) Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and a fucking trans knight who I love. It’s amazing how they slip in the exposure about the knight being trans, as well. Oh, and the princess has a prosthetic leg! It’s such a DIVERSE webcomic.

3) Love triangle but not a toxic one (so far). It’s girl’s being fair and honest.

4) Who is the green haired jerk? I want to kick his ass.

Anyway, it’s an honorable mention because I don’t still read (or have finished) the other webcomics. High Class Homos is a webcomic I am currently reading because Momzerii has made me so happy with the trans knight (because I am trans and I like to think of myself as a knight in shining armor, sometimes).

[officialkmi]

I want to take the time to reply to those that replied to my posts, but it’s hard to reply to them all on the post because I am not as Tumblr savvy as I like to pretend I am.

@princessa-insomnia : thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I hear a lot of fans have a love-hate relationship with it. I was impressed to see it has spin-off series and there are rumors of a third season. I just don’t want to sit through it unless I know they’ll do better with side ships + less cheating. It’s a shame because I actually really like the cast :(

@ourlostrainbows : thank you for taking the time to reply! I’m glad you liked the video. I have more on the KMI Youtube channel. I have more SOTUS/SOTUS S videos (including for the much loved side ships in season 2), along with some for other BL series as well (well...2Moons). If you have any songs you’d like to see videos made to, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

[officialkmi]

“Admit” by JUN

It’s June, the perfect month for me to make “JUNe” puns with any idols that have the name “Jun” or have “Joon” in their name or anything of the sort. Lucky for me, the soloist Jun just released a new MV for the song “Admit,” which is an emotional song that does a good job in echoing a post-breakup heart. Of course, not everything in the MV and song work well, but it’s still a good effort.

Overall Sound

The song itself is exactly what I’d like from a song with this sort of meaning in it. I don’t want a “summer anthem” about breaking up, and I don’t want a sad ballad that’s just gonna make me fall asleep or drown in my self pity. When I go through a breakup, neither of those sounds truly reflect my initial feelings.

I’m not good at words when it comes to echoing the feelings of my heart, but I feel like this song actually reflects properly even the way my heart feels within my chest. If you don’t listen to the words and just listen to the music, it feels like my heart is being perfectly reflect, and that’s not easy for a breakup song to do for me.

MV

Normally I don’t like “obviously green-screen” MVs, They make me feel like not enough thought was put into editing, and that’s something I absolutely hate. However, somehow Jun makes this work. I think a lot of it is that they don’t really try to make it be like “he’s at that spot.” That is to say, for example, his hair doesn’t blow with the explosion. Additionally, it’s all in black and white, so it doesn’t feel like he’s out of place color-wise. Some videos that use green screen don’t work to make sure the idols look like they belong (yes, I’m thinking of a specific MV by one of my favorite artists, but no I won’t say which one).

I feel as though the dark theme works and makes it feel more together. I just wish that giant statue wasn’t naked, as it’s hard not to have attention drawn to the butt rather than to Jun, as the light shines on the butt and draws the eye to it rather than his dark figure. It’s a shame because it’s such a nice shot, but the naked statue draws the eye more than it should. 100% the only issue I have with the MV is the naked statue.

Lyric Meaning

The lyrics do well in showing the feeling post-breakup. I’d say the words reflect best after it’s just happened. “I admit that I’m scared to be lonely.” The idea that it roots from a fear of loneliness, I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to. So many people feel like they won’t be happy unless they’re in a relationship.

I feel like Jun’s lyrics somehow manage to be reflections of a person’s feelings right after a breakup, even going through the process of denial and rage, while still keeping a sad sound during the rap. It’s something that feels different, even if I’m not 100% sure if it’s something that hasn’t been done before. Somehow, Jun makes it feel like it hasn’t, and I think that alone is something admirable.

I’d listen to this song if...

I had a broken heart, of course.

What a lot of my readers aren’t aware of is that, from January until March of this year, I was forcing myself to be in a “relationship” that was more like a FWB with a guy I worked with (he wouldn’t actually agree to date me, and I later found out he has a lot of internalized transphobia). I felt like I could only be happy if I let him kiss me, even though he never treated me with respect. Even so, I was scared of being alone. Even though it’s been almost three months, I still have nightmares about it and feel like I might have been the bad guy, even though I ended things.

I feel like this song would have been perfect last March to help me feel a bit more validated. I was often feeling alone and like I could have things fall apart at any moment. A song like this really might have helped me a lot back then.

You might like this song if you like...

I’d say the best comparison sound-wise is Seo In Guk, especially his most recent songs (Bebe and Mint Chocolate). Jun’s music has a bit of an electronic sound to it, which makes it easy to listen to no matter what mood you’re in. Now, I think it should be noted that I seldom group anyone with Seo In Guk because he is someone I love very much. His music is always a favorite of mine, and I’ve recommended it during multiple Music Monday posts on Instagram. So I’m serious when I say Jun is talented.

Other than that, I’d say some of his music may attract fans of KARD. In terms of theme, Don’t Recall follows that “breakup” theme. Overall, though, some of KARD’s songs have that easy to listen to sound like Jun’s. That’s part of what makes me like it. It’s easy to listen to, no matter what I’m doing. I could read, write, or do the dishes while listening to it.

Final words

Even though he’s not making waves, per se, I still would like Jun to gain more attention because of his easy to hear music and calming voice. Among the songs I’ve heard of his, he’s always been an artist with a pleasant voice and nice sound. I’ve never been disappointed with his work, and I hope to see more from him, maybe even making headlines as a rising star.

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Male Korean Soloists

Right now seems to be the era of the KPop group. As I covered in a past top 5, not everyone is given the same attention, including Korean Bands. Another widely overlooked area of the Korean music industry is the Korean soloist. I could likely make a Top 10, if I really wanted too, but Tumblr only lets me add 5 videos (rip). As such, I’ll just make a top 5 and include 5 artists I hope you all can support in addition to KPop groups and bands.

#1: Glabingo

I don’t know anyone who has ever heard of Glabingo, which is a shame because his voice, it’s so beautiful. He has a few songs out, and I’d probably listen to them on the same playlist as songs by Jay Park. He has that same sort of beautiful voice and relaxing vibe. I actually listed him as #1 because so few people have actually heard of him.

#2: Holland

Holland has gained international attention because of he is the country’s first openly gay idol. Sticking true to his identity, his videos tell of his experiences in relationships. I think that, since it is pride month, this is the best time for me, as a fan, to push for others to listen to his music.

He’s actually progressed a lot since his first MV “Neverland” came back. A lot of people have acknowledged his improvement, and I think he’s finding a sound that really suits his voice, too.

#3: Kevin Oh

Kevin Oh’s voice is best suited for rainy days, spent alone with a warm drink. They make me think of late nights, fairy lights, and being close to just one person in a soft way. Or, in the case of his song “Lover,” nights spent alone after a breakup, waiting for the wounds to heal.

His voice is absolutely beautiful, and ballads really suit him. I wish he’d have more chances to do OST work, as he’d do well in a drama. There’s no doubt in my mind, honestly, that he’d be perfect for that. Of course, I’d also be just as happy with some full-length albums by him.

#4: Seo In Guk

One thing I’m known for is my unending love and support for the man that is Seo In Guk.

I originally was going to link “Bebe,” which is by far one of my favorite songs of his. However, I’m in a bit of a ballad mood after Kevin Oh. Additionally, this MV and song are very emotional for his fans. We get to see him performing, get to hear/read the lyrics he wrote and gave to his right before he was supposed to enlist in the military. As his fans, we’ve been waiting eagerly for his return. We want our happy, healthy Seon In Guk.

“There are still memories to make together, there’s still more. We’re just apart for now, you and I, we’re still there.“

#5: JUN

I love Jun’s voice and his music. I’ve never been disappointed with anything he’s released. All in all, his voice is easy to hear and nice on the ears. When it comes to soloists, I like voices that aren’t too hard on my ears, and Jun easily meets this criteria. Additionally, his songs sound unique, not like a ballad or dance song I’ve heard 100 times.

It’s especially admirable, as noted by his fans, that he’s not held to a contract, thus there’s no fear of being told not to date, what to post, and what to sing. His work is his own and he is in control of his own fate. That alone makes him admirable.

It’s a shame that not many people really know about him, but now is a great time to start because he did make a post in the comments for this newest video (Admit) that there will be more Jun content throughout June.

Honorable Mention: Eric Nam

I didn’t actually include him in the Top 5 for one reason: he’s probably the most successful soloist I know of, and almost everyone I know of has heard of him. Even the video for Runaway has 1M views. He’s gained a lot of success as a soloist, and I’m happy for him because he really has a nice voice and he’s a charming idol. I just wanted to focus on lesser known soloists for this list.

[peaches-of-1]

Dean? (oh lesser known ok)

[officialkmi]

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to reblog + comment. As I mention in the post’s intro, I could easy make a Top 10, but Tumblr only allows me to add 5 videos to a post.

[officialkmi]

I was actually really happy with how the thumbnail for my “Tear in My Heart” video turned out. Since I have to go upload it on Instagram anyway, I figured I’d go ahead and share the actual thumbnail turned out here.

I actually drew the heart, which is made clear by how shitty it turned out.

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Shojo Manga that Shaped My Youth

While my childhood was primarily shaped by anime, my teenage years were actually filled with both anime and manga. I found myself enjoying manga since I could read it much faster, allowing me to pass through the story faster with a manga than I could with the anime.

Looking back, I mostly read Shojo manga. I was homeschooled until eighth grade, so I was awkward around people by the time I started to really read manga. As such, it was nice to read Shojo manga and be transported into a world where love works out and is really, really cute. (Fun fact, I didn’t get my first non-long distance relationship until I was a Senior, and that ended after a week. I didn’t start dating again until 2018. So, of course I was into romance manga).

#1: Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You)

What really makes Kimi ni Todoke special to me is that, even today, I see myself in the main character. She’s a quiet student with no friends, but she does her best, even so, and is actually really cute. I wanted to pretend I could be like her and have a cute guy come in and sweep me off my feet and help me open up to make more friends.

Sadly, I was reading the manga as it was coming out, so I never finished it. I did, however, recently start watching the anime. The manga is also the reason I discovered one of my favorite bands (Marianas Trench) because someone on YouTube made an AMV using Kimi ni Todoke and the song “All to Myself,” and it was a really good video and I fell in love with the song.

#2 Vampire Knight

Vampire Knight is another manga I never finished reading because it was coming out as I was reading it. However, I got way up there in chapters. While the story line didn’t really affect my opinions on people in general, it did shape a lot of my youth. I was obsessed with the ship of Zero + Yuuki, which is how I came up with my online name “Zeki.” A lot of my usernames on other websites actually have usernames using “Zeki” in it, including my old YouTube channels (IamZeki and 4EverZekiVK). I also learned how much I can hate a character, as I was not a fan of Kaname at all.

#3: Hana to Akuma

This is by far one of my favorite manga ever, and it’s probably one of the only ones I read as a teenager that doesn’t have an anime to accompany it. I loved making videos dedicated to it, including one that now has over 33K views. I didn’t even know back then that there were that many fans of the manga, as you never really see people talk about it.

It’s a beautiful manga and I found myself absolutely in love with the story. I read it as fast as I possibly could, falling in love with the characters as I did. Even to this day, I can easily say it was my second favorite manga ever. However, it’s at #3 because Vampire Knight did create my online username before I started using Jacobsenia.

#4: Special A

This was one of my favorite manga, and it was another one I found myself constantly making MMVs for on YouTube. It was another high school manga, like Kimi ni Todoke, but it was about a rich-kid high school with classes based on grades. It was high pressure and funny. I especially found myself interested in the story of Megumi and Yahiro. I feel like it really affected the kind of ships I tend to support even today (that is...the jerk with a surprising nice side + whoever he decides he likes). I think good examples of ships I probably wouldn’t support if not for Special A include TinCan (Love by Chance) and the main relationship in To The Beautiful You (not that I know if there’s a ship name for it?).

I feel like I did finish this manga, but I honestly can’t remember. It was so long ago...but I’d be willing to bet $20 that I did finish it.

#5: Junjou Romantica

Every shojo manga fan has likely stumbled upon at least one gay manga in their lives. For me, my first taste of any sort of gay media was actually Junjou Romantica. I think that, if I hadn’t seen this, I would not have been as comfortable with gay media later on in life. After all, I live in a heavily conservative household.

Now, I’m open about what LGBTQA+ media I read and watch, and I often make jokes about it with my stepdad. I don’t think I’d have been this comfortable without reading Junjou Romantica (not that I ever finished it...it’s such a long manga). My own identity as a panromantic asexual somehow just became accepted facts without me ever coming out formally, but I don’t think they’d have been that way if I hadn’t first grown comfortable with it and discovered such media exists through Junjou Romantica.

I’m still not sure at which point I made the jump from reading that to actually watching gay dramas, though?

[officialkmi]

OPV |【 TEAR IN MY HEART » Arthit x Kong 】

I know, it’s been a while since I had an upload. That’s because I got a new editing program and have been trying to master the basics. I may go back to making MMVs for a while to help me figure out basic tricks.

My “comeback video,” however, had to be SOTUS/SOTUS S related. That’s a given. So, I finally sat down and made one, using “Tear in My Heart” by Twenty One Pilots. The video itself is primarily in Kongpob’s POV, in case that wasn’t obvious when watching. I thought the song suited, a bit.

I hope to make more videos for you all to enjoy. I won’t say which manga I will be making MMV’s for, but I hope you’ll all look forward to it. And if anyone has any short, easy to access online manga they’d recommend, let me know. Emphasis on short, because I’ve decided to only sit down and FORCE myself to read one so I can surprise my sister with a video about it (it’s her favorite anime and she wants to read the manga for it. It’s easier to get manga stills than anime clips).

Anyway, if you like this video, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to the KMI YouTube channel. I happen to have other videos for SOTUS/SOTUS S, along with 2Moons and some BTS videos. Some use English songs, some KPop. Check to see if there’s anything you like (and I’m always taking suggestions).

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Shows I Never Finished (but wish I had)

It’s so hard to keep my attention. Most shows I start go unfinished by the end of the month. I have to be addicted to the point of staying up so late that i only get two hours of sleep all to watch how it goes.

However, there are some shows I loved, but I stopped watching for whatever reason (mainly my short attention span). If any of my readers have better attention spans than me, I highly recommend watching the shows on this list!

#1: Beating Again (Falling for Innocence)

This show is my biggest regret on the entire list. It’s a romantic Korean drama about a rude rich guy who receives a heart transplant from a cop. The cop’s fiance actually works as the rich guy’s secretary, and his heart remembers the cop’s feelings and he starts to fall for her.

I honestly found the main character to be hilarious, and it’s a funny show to watch. I wish I remembered where I left off, because I’d pick up where I did (even though it’s on Netflix, my family swapped accounts around).

#2: The Scholar Who Walks the Night

Okay, so some people may be aware I often watch movies and shows because of the actor in them. This is one of those series. The main villain is played by Lee Soo Hyuk, an (extremely) attractive Korean actor. I actually learned about him on another website I frequent (won’t say which one) when a friend compared his appearance to that rat from Flushed Away. Somehow...that piqued my interest and I eventually watched this show for him.

I’ll be 100% honest with you, I did not stop this show because I got bored. I got all the way to episode 7, but it was hard to watch because I had to use some shady website. I really would like a chance to watch it again.

#3: Descendants of the Sun

This series caught my eye because Lee Jinki (Onew) was in it (again, influenced by the cast). I really did love the series and got a few episodes in, but I stopped watching because I was watching something else simultaneously. Once again, when my family switched Netflix accounts, I lost my progress and could never pick up where I left off. It’s a shame because I really loved it and Onew’s character was really cute.

#4: Seraph of the End

Believe it or not, I started this anime with my younger sister and stopped watching it solely because she was watching it without me. She finished the anime and I had no motivation to watch it alone. As such, I moved on to watch different shows that I was much more interested in. I may return to finish watching it, but only time will tell.

#5: Lovesick the series

Okay, so I stopped on season 2 on this series for one reason: all the cheating! It honestly made me nauseous. Additionally, I heard people say that a lot of the teased couples never end up, which frustrated me because I liked the side ships more than the main ships. I also wanted to see what end befell Ngern’s character, as I am a huge Ngern fan (just look at his smile and try not to be a fan!)

Despite its downfalls, Lovesick had an amazing soundtrack, and I still listen to some of the songs. A lot of the songs were sung by the cast (including Ngern) and it had a song by Boy Sompob. I’ve never heard a Boy Sompob song I didn’t like.

Honorable Mention: Tokyo Ghoul:re

This is an honorable mention because I 100% intend to finish it! My progress is still marked on Hulu, as I’m on the third season (Tokyo Ghoul:re) and I really was interested. I loved all the characters, too. This was another anime I was watching with my sister, but I moved on without her because she didn’t want to watch it with me.

I hope to one day pick up where I left off and finish watching, as I really am interested in knowing how it ends.

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Male Korean Soloists

Right now seems to be the era of the KPop group. As I covered in a past top 5, not everyone is given the same attention, including Korean Bands. Another widely overlooked area of the Korean music industry is the Korean soloist. I could likely make a Top 10, if I really wanted too, but Tumblr only lets me add 5 videos (rip). As such, I’ll just make a top 5 and include 5 artists I hope you all can support in addition to KPop groups and bands.

#1: Glabingo

I don’t know anyone who has ever heard of Glabingo, which is a shame because his voice, it’s so beautiful. He has a few songs out, and I’d probably listen to them on the same playlist as songs by Jay Park. He has that same sort of beautiful voice and relaxing vibe. I actually listed him as #1 because so few people have actually heard of him.

#2: Holland

Holland has gained international attention because of he is the country’s first openly gay idol. Sticking true to his identity, his videos tell of his experiences in relationships. I think that, since it is pride month, this is the best time for me, as a fan, to push for others to listen to his music.

He’s actually progressed a lot since his first MV “Neverland” came back. A lot of people have acknowledged his improvement, and I think he’s finding a sound that really suits his voice, too.

#3: Kevin Oh

Kevin Oh’s voice is best suited for rainy days, spent alone with a warm drink. They make me think of late nights, fairy lights, and being close to just one person in a soft way. Or, in the case of his song “Lover,” nights spent alone after a breakup, waiting for the wounds to heal.

His voice is absolutely beautiful, and ballads really suit him. I wish he’d have more chances to do OST work, as he’d do well in a drama. There’s no doubt in my mind, honestly, that he’d be perfect for that. Of course, I’d also be just as happy with some full-length albums by him.

#4: Seo In Guk

One thing I’m known for is my unending love and support for the man that is Seo In Guk.

I originally was going to link “Bebe,” which is by far one of my favorite songs of his. However, I’m in a bit of a ballad mood after Kevin Oh. Additionally, this MV and song are very emotional for his fans. We get to see him performing, get to hear/read the lyrics he wrote and gave to his right before he was supposed to enlist in the military. As his fans, we’ve been waiting eagerly for his return. We want our happy, healthy Seon In Guk.

“There are still memories to make together, there’s still more. We’re just apart for now, you and I, we’re still there.“

#5: JUN

I love Jun’s voice and his music. I’ve never been disappointed with anything he’s released. All in all, his voice is easy to hear and nice on the ears. When it comes to soloists, I like voices that aren’t too hard on my ears, and Jun easily meets this criteria. Additionally, his songs sound unique, not like a ballad or dance song I’ve heard 100 times.

It’s especially admirable, as noted by his fans, that he’s not held to a contract, thus there’s no fear of being told not to date, what to post, and what to sing. His work is his own and he is in control of his own fate. That alone makes him admirable.

It’s a shame that not many people really know about him, but now is a great time to start because he did make a post in the comments for this newest video (Admit) that there will be more Jun content throughout June.

Honorable Mention: Eric Nam

I didn’t actually include him in the Top 5 for one reason: he’s probably the most successful soloist I know of, and almost everyone I know of has heard of him. Even the video for Runaway has 1M views. He’s gained a lot of success as a soloist, and I’m happy for him because he really has a nice voice and he’s a charming idol. I just wanted to focus on lesser known soloists for this list.

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Anime to Cry Over

Disclaimer: I did not cry over all of these, but I’m not exactly what you’d call a crying person. So, if I mention that an anime listed did make me cry, you should definitely watch it if you want to lose your will to live.

#1: A Silent Voice

(I linked a different trailer this time. I actually like this trailer better because it better shows the cast)

Anyone who has read my review for this movie likely would expect this to be my #1. That’s because I cried. I don’t cry a lot, as I stated before. Shoko Ishida is a relatable character, almost to the point where I’d have been scared to watch it if I had known just how relatable he is for me.

The movie itself is beautiful and compelling, and I kinda want to read the manga after watching it. I don’t really read manga after watching anime, usually. Actually, I usually don’t do it the other way around, either. Anime adaptions usually don’t live up to my expectations. But I loved this movie so much, I want to!

“A Silent Voice” is available on Netflix.

#2: Your Lie in April

Among the world’s saddest anime, there’s a special place for “Your Lie in April.” I didn’t cry, but that’s because it’s a series and I was too busy making fun of my sister who was crying. (She was about their age when we watched it and played Flute in her school’s band, at the time)

It’s a beautiful story about a girl who forces herself into a boy’s world, forcefully dragging him out of his comfort zone and forcing him to start playing the piano again. There is mention of abuse, and it does well to show the trauma children can suffer because of it.

However, the abuse isn’t what makes this anime one that makes you lose your will to live. I won’t even say what it is because I really want my poor readers to suffer if they choose to watch it.

NOTE: If you do like this anime and have friends that enjoy slice of life anime but don’t want to let them know it will destroy their emotional state…show them the first trailer Aniplex uploaded of it. It will trick them in the same way Madoka Magica tricks people into thinking it’s just a cute magical girl anime. It lies.

“Your Lie in April” is available on Netflix and Hulu.

#3: Cl’annad: After Story

Although the video above is fanmade, I think it does the best job at tricking all of you into thinking this is just gonna be another slice of life series that takes place after the events in “Cl’annad.”

You’re only half right.

While it does take place after “Cl’annad,” and I definitely suggest watching “Cl’annad” first, this series will destroy you. Like…multiple times. You get really, really sad and then you think it’s all okay and then it’s like “SURPRISE! YOU THOUGHT!” Don’t trust it when it seems happy. It’s not. You will cry.

One thing I will say, though, is that it does a good job showing how difficult it can be to cope with loss. Additionally, it shows that, while the loss of a loved one can be heard, there is still hope. It’s not impossible when you’re not alone.

Cl’annad: After Story is available on Hulu.

#4: Your Name

This is another anime I found to be beautifully done, but not as strongly as some of the others. At first, it comes off as a comedy about a boy and girl switching places occasionally. However, as the plot progresses, it’s revealed that they’re switching places so that they will have a chance at saving hundreds from an impending disaster. I don’t want to say too much, but I will say that I almost shed a few tears for this one. I was completely immersed and found myself most hurt near the end, after the disaster hits.

“Your Name” is not available on Netflix, Hulu, or Youtube…but I recommend watching it if you can.

#5: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Aniplex likes to make anime that trick you into thinking they’re going to be a cute anime, but then totally destroys your expectations. Indeed, I watched the anime earl in high school. I then tried to trick my friend into watching it. It took a mutual friend of ours to keep insisting she didn’t deserve such pain. Neither of us was willing to admit why the anime was so sad, but we were both working desperately to either trick her or protect her.

Because this anime is sad. It’s even more sad when you consider that these are eighth-graders. Both “Your Lie in April” and “Madoka Magica” take innocent fourteen-year-olds and make you cry your eyes out over them.

I love it.

Madoka Magica is available on Hulu.

Honorable Mention: Grave of the Fireflies

Believe it or not, this movie is a Studio Ghibli movie. It’s known as one that will completely destroy your will to live. You keep having hope, but it’s a period piece about the struggles endured during World War 2. It’s one of my favorite movies, but I’m partially influenced because I am a history major.

Grave of the Fireflies doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It starts off sad, though you don’t fully understand why. It then takes you through and lets you get attached to characters you just saw were dead, and then you get sad that they died anyway.

Why? Because they’re children, so of course you’re still going to hope things will work out, even if you know they won’t.

[hh-ms-nm]

You know, as beautiful as “a silent voice” is, people really need to read the manga after finishing the movie, it makes you appreciate the characters more so than the movie, it also continue with the story where the movie stops. You thought ueno was bad?? Well, in a way she is. But the manga made her my favourite character of the show. Not because it justify what she did, but because it makes you understand why she did EVERYTHING she did

[officialkmi]

That’s really good to know! I hope to buy the manga once I get settled into a job and save up some money. Since I’ve been unemployed for a few weeks, I kinda already promised my parents we’d go out for dinner with my first non-bill paycheck, and I have a book picked out for some of it. But I’ll definitely buy the manga within a month of getting hired somewhere!

[officialkmi]

Top 5 Anime to Cry Over

Disclaimer: I did not cry over all of these, but I’m not exactly what you’d call a crying person. So, if I mention that an anime listed did make me cry, you should definitely watch it if you want to lose your will to live.

#1: A Silent Voice

(I linked a different trailer this time. I actually like this trailer better because it better shows the cast)

Anyone who has read my review for this movie likely would expect this to be my #1. That’s because I cried. I don’t cry a lot, as I stated before. Shoko Ishida is a relatable character, almost to the point where I’d have been scared to watch it if I had known just how relatable he is for me.

The movie itself is beautiful and compelling, and I kinda want to read the manga after watching it. I don’t really read manga after watching anime, usually. Actually, I usually don’t do it the other way around, either. Anime adaptions usually don’t live up to my expectations. But I loved this movie so much, I want to!

“A Silent Voice” is available on Netflix.

#2: Your Lie in April

Among the world’s saddest anime, there’s a special place for “Your Lie in April.” I didn’t cry, but that’s because it’s a series and I was too busy making fun of my sister who was crying. (She was about their age when we watched it and played Flute in her school’s band, at the time)

It’s a beautiful story about a girl who forces herself into a boy’s world, forcefully dragging him out of his comfort zone and forcing him to start playing the piano again. There is mention of abuse, and it does well to show the trauma children can suffer because of it.

However, the abuse isn’t what makes this anime one that makes you lose your will to live. I won’t even say what it is because I really want my poor readers to suffer if they choose to watch it.

NOTE: If you do like this anime and have friends that enjoy slice of life anime but don’t want to let them know it will destroy their emotional state...show them the first trailer Aniplex uploaded of it. It will trick them in the same way Madoka Magica tricks people into thinking it’s just a cute magical girl anime. It lies.

“Your Lie in April” is available on Netflix and Hulu.

#3: Cl’annad: After Story

Although the video above is fanmade, I think it does the best job at tricking all of you into thinking this is just gonna be another slice of life series that takes place after the events in “Cl’annad.”

You’re only half right.

While it does take place after “Cl’annad,” and I definitely suggest watching “Cl’annad” first, this series will destroy you. Like...multiple times. You get really, really sad and then you think it’s all okay and then it’s like “SURPRISE! YOU THOUGHT!” Don’t trust it when it seems happy. It’s not. You will cry.

One thing I will say, though, is that it does a good job showing how difficult it can be to cope with loss. Additionally, it shows that, while the loss of a loved one can be heard, there is still hope. It’s not impossible when you’re not alone.

Cl’annad: After Story is available on Hulu.

#4: Your Name

This is another anime I found to be beautifully done, but not as strongly as some of the others. At first, it comes off as a comedy about a boy and girl switching places occasionally. However, as the plot progresses, it’s revealed that they’re switching places so that they will have a chance at saving hundreds from an impending disaster. I don’t want to say too much, but I will say that I almost shed a few tears for this one. I was completely immersed and found myself most hurt near the end, after the disaster hits.

“Your Name” is not available on Netflix, Hulu, or Youtube...but I recommend watching it if you can.

#5: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Aniplex likes to make anime that trick you into thinking they’re going to be a cute anime, but then totally destroys your expectations. Indeed, I watched the anime earl in high school. I then tried to trick my friend into watching it. It took a mutual friend of ours to keep insisting she didn’t deserve such pain. Neither of us was willing to admit why the anime was so sad, but we were both working desperately to either trick her or protect her.

Because this anime is sad. It’s even more sad when you consider that these are eighth-graders. Both “Your Lie in April” and “Madoka Magica” take innocent fourteen-year-olds and make you cry your eyes out over them.

I love it.

Madoka Magica is available on Hulu.

Honorable Mention: Grave of the Fireflies

Believe it or not, this movie is a Studio Ghibli movie. It’s known as one that will completely destroy your will to live. You keep having hope, but it’s a period piece about the struggles endured during World War 2. It’s one of my favorite movies, but I’m partially influenced because I am a history major.

Grave of the Fireflies doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It starts off sad, though you don’t fully understand why. It then takes you through and lets you get attached to characters you just saw were dead, and then you get sad that they died anyway.

Why? Because they’re children, so of course you’re still going to hope things will work out, even if you know they won’t.