Sometimes I don't even know if I should be a k-genre stan. This shit literally happens everyday. I'm tired of being invalidated for being upset. Why did black stans all of a sudden become antis?
Ok sorry but it’s kinda hard being a Black girl in any fandom that’s not predominantly Black. Feeling left out, being dogged by non Black, racist fans etc. is kind of a turn off. Even when your faves like a Black artist they have to hide it because of their hefty amount of racist fans.
And it’s crazy because when non Blacks go to hip hop concerts and dance classes, Black folks welcome them with open arms and even, unnecessarily, hype up their mediocraty...crazy
Seoul and other cities in central South Korea are currently flooding due to heavy rain and back flow of sewage. The death toll is already ringing in and the rain isn’t thought to stop for few more days.
As Stan’s we have a responsibility to show our support for the people and the country our faves represent. If you have the time, please donate to relief organizations and spread the word to other stan communities.
Flooding is dangerous no matter where it happens. I hope the people of Seoul and residents in the affected area find safe dry places to rest. I hope the first responders all leave this event safely.
I will update this post with links to relief orgs as I find them.
So... I don't have the best money management skills nor the best impulse control, so before anyone comes at my neck about spending so much money despite having 5 too many extra bills to pay, let me at least show you what I go. ::D
Album One: NCT 2021 Universe
It's no secret that I am a huge NCTzen. In high school, I dropped far too much money on a ticket to the first world tour and I would not trade those memories for anything. NCT is what many in the kpop community would consider my 'ult-group' or Ultimate Group. All that means is that NCT as a whole is my absolute favorite group and will often time pick them over a different group. This is correct, I would choose to go see NCT over pretty much anything. I'm not the most socially versed so there isn't much happening in my life where I'd have to make the choice, but the sentiment stands.
NCT 2021 Universe is the third studio album from the entirety of NCT including all groups, NCT Dream, NCT 127, NCT U, and Wavy, as well as two new members Shotaro and Sungchan. NCT [3] Universe follows NCT Resonance Pt.1 & 2, which was released in 2020 following the initial announcement of the new members. Universe is a beautiful collaboration of all the members, highlighting their growth since debut in 2016. The songs on the album put the new group lineups in the spotlight with members from the formerly underage unit, NCT Dream, performing alongside long-loved older members. The voices of Jeno and Jaemin can be heard on NCT U tracks, marking their coming-to-age as more than just being deeper voices and larger statures. Members Mark and Haechan also put to rest rumors of their departure from Dream with their performances with their dream members. These performances solidify the Dream lineup, bringing a lot of joy to NCTzens of all ages.
Universe as a whole is a great mix of hip-pop, romance pop, and ballad-style songs that highlight the extensive talent of the group. As a huge rap and hip-pop fan myself, the songs Miracle performed by WayV and Birthday Party performed by NCT U have been on repeat since release. Following not far behind for me are OK! performed by NCT U and Dreaming performed by NCT Dream. All very ballad-like or totally opposite by being club-worthy rap/hip-pop. Outside of my personal taste, I believe there is a song on the album for everyone. The groups' way of blending vocals and uplifting each others' energy all while telling a story is unmatched.
Every copy of the album came with a full-sized poster, a member sticker sheet, a member postcard, and an individual photo card along with a photo/lyric book and of course a protective cover for the set.
Now. I have to preface that I do have a bias in each unit as well as an overall bias. I also have to preface that I keep all of my album contents no matter if I get the same member multiple times or if don't get one of bias'.
Now that all of that is out of the way, clearly from the photo above, I got the Jungwoo photo card, Taehyung sticker sheet, and a Yangyang postcard. I don't how to put into words how much I love Yangyang. That's my tweet.
Looking at these cards I could cry. I remember watching Yangyang's SMRookie video and cheering for him when WayV's first album came out. I remember cheering Jungwoo on during the first world tour cause he was still recovering and how I cried seeing Taehyung in person on a stage just a few feet ahead of me. Watching them all grow into the talented and beautiful men they are, is like watching a long-distance friend achieve everything they've been working for.
With every NCT album I get, I grow more and more proud of their growth as people and as artists. They inspire me to do more than just follow my dreams.
Album Two/Three: Enhypen Dimension: Answer Version 1 and 2
Version [Yet] is blue and white with red accents. It is a case-style album with the album and collectibles in a separate folder from the photo/lyric book. This version has a textured feel to the outside as well as matching textured embossing. The theme of [Yet] is very boyish, combining many school life elements reminiscent of NCT's Empath Album as well as BTS' Young Forever.
Version [No] is grey and white with red accents. It is a case-style album with the album and collectibles in a separate folder from the photo/lyric book. This version has a vert satin smooth finish with glossy embossing. The theme is very rough and reminds me a lot of Stay Kids' 4th mini album Clé 1: Miroh.
Enhypen, a group created from the idol survival show I-Land, is under the label BE:LIFT LABS. The show was a collaborative effort from the companies CJ Entertainment and HYBE, pulling trainees from well-known music powerhouses BigHit Entertainment and Pledis Entertainment. Comprising of seven members, Enhypen's goal is to connect members from different backgrounds in an effort to strengthen and create everlasting bonds. Overall the album is very aesthetically pleasing to listen to. The multitalented members really show their colors, exploring and executing different genres while incorporating new sounds. Like many groups that have a range of genres blended into one album, Enhypen does a really good job of keeping the sound complimentary while telling their story. The album packaging suggests a fantasy school life concept which is very clear in the Drunk-Dazed video [this is a different album but the concept continued]. Of all the tracks my favorite was Upper Side Dreamin' and Go Big or Go Home. Both songs being on the hip-pop/rap side of things, are really powerful and garner a good mood.
The albums came with one traditional photocard, a polaroid photocard, a photo stand group photo, a postcard, a full-size poster, a sticker sheet, a semi-transparent photo bookmark, and a buildable D8 papercraft. No, because the level of serotonin I got from these is infinite. Jake and Heesung photocards and matching Heesung bookmark thing are my everything. Sunoo looks so lonely without matching photocards but it's okay, I'll definitely try to pull Sunoo cards from the next album.
For a debut album, I expected this amount of collectibles but the quality and thought put into these are really heartwarming. It might be because I watched I-Land and have been rooting for Enhypen since episode one, but it's really a great feeling having these. With my planned future travels, I hope that Enhypen concerts are events I'm able to attend and maybe even a fan-meet/hi-touch. It's been a while since I got into a group at pre-debut and this feeling is really something I've missed. Knowing I'll be able to watch them as a group grow and explore more facets of their talent is making me super excited for what the coming years have to offer.
Buying albums continues to solidify my love for the culture and the aspects of the culture that make it so unique to any other music experience out on the market right now. And, despite emptying out my bank account, I've found more motivation to pursue a career in artist branding and truly go after what I want.
All in all, money well spent in my opinion. I love each piece I've collected and hope to share more of my collection with you guys in the future.
Thank you for partaking in this with me! Let me know what albums you think I should add to my collection and I’ll see you guys next time!
I’m into plenty of female artists. The Kpop ones just don’t impress me that much. Has nothing to do with this “internal misogyny” phrase people keep throwing around.
Also as a young Black girl, who’s fully Black, people have to realize that growing up, I had to learn that my Black was beautiful after being bombarded with images of women who were totally opposite of me, being called beautiful. I’ve practically trained myself to put myself first and value people who look like me. I’m sorry but I’ve grown a new respect for me and my kind and I no longer am impressed by others and I don’t have to be. That has nothing to do with mysoginy. It has everything to do with personal taste and self respect
