Mr. Jun Takahashi, who also has many episodes about music in the blog of honeyee.com archives. " What was the music scene like in 2005 for you?" There are few words to the question, and the answer is "70'S KRAUT ROCK (70's German rock)". So, the following lineup is the best 5 of 2005 by Mr. JONIO.
Number One: [Hossiana Mantra] - Popol Vuh
It's similar to classical music, and it's comfortable to listen to church music. The third album released in 1972. " Popol Vuh led by Florian Fricke.
A work like free and mysterious new church music"
Number Two; [Yeti] - Amon Duul II
Psycheic
A masterpiece of progressive rock.
The second album by Amon Dür Second, a group that split from the original Amon Dürr. "Psychological and aggressive music"
Number Three: [Picture Music] - Klaus Schulze
By the cutting-edge of electronic music,Early analog works.
A ‘73 work by Klaus Schultz, also known as Ash Ra Tempel's drums/electronics.
"Cosmic bad trip music with analog synths.”
Number Four: [Zuckerzeit] Cluster
From K to C. Cluster’s famous album. The Japanese title is ‘Electronic Dream.’
Announced in 1974, CLuster, a group that is one of the representatives of German synthesizer music. The third album will be the fifth lead in total.
“Initial techno-pop - like content.”
Number Five: [Opal] - Embryo
The tone of the violin is [?]
Elements of folk music as well.
Debut album recorded in 1970. Embryo debuted as another unit of the Amon Dürer II family based in Munich.
Ji Suyeon of Weki Meki, who are going to debut soon on August 8, has been determined ot be the leader of the group.
According to OSEN, Weki Meki’s Ji Suyeon is taking charge as the main vocalist and the eldest member.
Weki Meki’s Kim Doyeon and Choi Yoojung, members of the final group of MNET’s ‘Produce 101′ I.O.I, were in speculation for being the leader, and there was also speculation that there would be no leader, but the group leader finally decided is the mature vocalist and eldest member.
According to Fantagio, Weki Meki was dominated by the idea that I.O.I members should be debuted quickly, and although this opinion was the dominant, they took the idea of going back before going forwards. Kim Doyeon and Choi Yoojung went overseas shortly to learn about dance and dance education training to teach the remaining members.
Weki Meki’s debut album will show the concept of “teen crush” with 8 colors for 8 personalities. “Teen crush” is a synthesized word, from “teen” and “crush” from girl crush, that shows a growing expectation of their funky and girly charm.
Weki Meki’s debut showcase will happen on August 8 at 8:00pm at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul.
T/N: This translation is really, really rough so please don’t quote me on any of this (unless you want to risk sharing information that might be false). The thing about Suyeon being the leader is real, though.
Looking Back from the Design Notebook: [Undercover]’s 25 Year History
by Housekeeper, ph. Taro Hirano (2015)
A retrospective exhibition will be held at <Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery>. To commemorate that, I will store hand-drawn design notes!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Jun Takahashi's start of <undercover> with a friend when he was at Bunka Fashion College. In commemoration of that, a large-scale retrospective exhibition started. " TITLED "LABYRINTH OF UNDERCOVER", mainly about 100 collection archives, videos, dolls, paintings, etc. are developed one after another in various spaces of various sizes. It is an exhibition where you can experience the complex and intertwined multifaceted creation as if you were walking in a labyrinth (maze).
SS07 ‘PURPLE’
A collection that became a turning point by launching a sensual and luxurious female image that could not be seen in the previous Undercover seasons. Jun Takahashi been drawing design notes since the past two years.
Design drawing of the dress on the photo. The organdy cut into a skull shape on the left page was placed throughout the dress.
Therefore, this magazine specially released the design notes of Jun Takahashi. The design drawing carefully drawn in detail using a Rotring mechanical pencil on an A4 size thick notebook made for each collection seems to be a work by itself. However, the design drawing was not drawn from the beginning, and in the early days, they drew textiles on a Mac computer and assembled them with three-dimensional cutting, and made clothes that were reconstructed by dismantling basic items. Jun Takahashi started to draw design drawings by hand since the Spring Summer 2005 season. He said, "I draw in great detail, so there is a limit with computers, and paper and pen are more free to expand ideas."
Some of the design notes will also be exhibited at the exhibition. If you compare it with the actual clothes, you should be able to get a glimpse of the secret and process of the creation of Undercover.
SS09 ‘GRACE’
A season that produced a creature doll called GRACE and expressed the collection with a photo book that shot it like a scene from a movie. " The doll of "GRACE" will also be exhibited at the exhibition.
Sketch of "GRACE". From the overall form to the range of motion of the neck and the size are drawn in detail.
AW13 ‘Anatomicouture’
"Anatomical" and "Couture" are combined to make "Anatomicouture". Motifs that make up the human body such as brain marrow, skeleton, and five organs appear in various clothes, such as prints, jacquard, and embroidery.
The original drawing of the lace used for the three-dimensional dress part of the look on the photo. This detail is beautifully reproduced.
SS15 ‘Pretty Hate Bird’
A woman who looks like a swan lake motif walks along a giant cherry figurine with a skull carved. Undercover expresses the unique dark fantasy in an elegant and cute way.
The look imaged by the design drawing is almost reproduced as a real thing. Is that technique a gift of 25 years of history? It is carefully colored with a marker on a sketch drawn with a pencil.
Jun Takahashi
Born in 1969. Started Undercover in 1990. Participated in the Tokyo Fashion Week for the first time in 1994. Participated in Paris Fashion Week since 2002.
Jun: [It’s] an art movement that aims for the total emancipation of human beings by expressing the irrational world of the subconscious, such as dreams and illusions—
an art movement that aims for the total liberation of mankind by expressing the world of the irrational subconscious such as dreams and illusions. I wanted to express this in my own way with my clothes. I wanted to express in my own way the sense of decay, the battle between humans, and the doomed— something ruinous.
I wanted to express the coexistence of these things with positive things. I like the opposites of dark and pop.
Have you always had the idea of clothes that sell since you were a student of couture?
Jun: The collection is an art piece. Coordination is a theme. I sometimes overdo it in order to make the theme clear. I always keep in mind the minimum wearability.
Which designers have influenced you?
Jun: I was a punk when I was in school, so I was influenced by Seditionaries and Vivienne Westwood.
How did you resist the transition from street to mode?
Jun: At first I was making and selling T-shirts, but I was not sure about creating.
There were times when I felt lost and didn't know how to express myself. At that time, Comme des Garcons gave me confidence. I saw a jacket with a vinyl collar and thought it was punk. I was shocked and at the same time, I was able to honestly affirm what I had done. Although I had never heard Kawakubo-san's words directly, I felt relieved that it was all right.
What made you go to Paris?
Jun: Actually, I once brought some clothes to Paris. But it didn't go well. I like Paris, but I was hesitant to go to Paris because of my impression of the city. But when I decided that I wanted to create on a global level, Paris was the place to go. I wanted more stimulation.
Undercover is a type of brand that does not exist in Paris.
Tokyo streets are a special mix of various things, with a touch of mode thrown in for good measure. It is a mix of various things, plus mod, with a touch of horror, grotesqueness, and humor.
Of course, there are some things that we lack that other people don't have. We have what they have, but we don't have enough of it. For example, elegance, maturity, and a subtle balance of the two are the most difficult to achieve in terms of individuality. I think this is the most difficult and most important aspect of individuality. I like elegant clothes more than those who make beautiful and habitual clothes. I liked Lanvin and Anne Valerie Hash in London. Beautiful clothes made by people with a broken mind. I like that sense of balance.
Do you draw an image of women in your clothes?
Jun: As I make the clothes, I have an idea of the person I want to have come to the show. In this case, I think it would be my wife. We like similar things.Her casual comments are very reassuring.
Finally, any advice for future creators?
Jun: Do what you want to do and what you decide to do.
Be prepared to experience a hungry life.
It takes a lot of courage and it is scary, but if you don't take the risk, you will never be anything. If you are playing it safe, you will misjudge what is good and what is not.
I was the same way, but I think it's okay to let your youth get the better of you and give it a shot. It's okay to let your youth take you for a ride.
[Oh!Sen Cut] “Teen Crush”...Weki Meki, 8 Personal Images Released
(source)
The new rookie girl group Weki Meki, who are preparing to debut on August 8, released the first teaser images of their debut album “Weki Meki 1st Mini Album WEME.”
On midnight of the 24th, Fantagio published the first teaser images of the eight members (Ji Suyeon, Elly, Choi Yoojung, Kim Doyeon, Sei, Lua, Rina, Lucy) on their official SNS.
The photos of Weki Meki show a pop style through 8 intense personalities and 8 colors that captivate the viewer.
The styling of bright colors with a funky yet witty girls shows Weki Meki’s concept of “teen crush” to be shown on this album.
Teen crush is a synthesized term combining “teen” and “crush.” Weki Meki will release their debut album with this new concept of “teen crush” and will make their charms sparkle.
Along with the teaser image, Weki Meki’s debut album was also announced. The debut album, “WEME,” displays a concept of “we and I” for the Weki Meki fans who have waited for the group’s debut for a long time, and the group name is meant to convey the wish of a first start.
Weki Meki will make their official debut on August 8 and will perform their debut showcase on the same day at 8PM at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul.
T/N: This is a very rough translation. I’m not fluent in Korean or anything, so don’t take my translation as 100%.
Ong Seongwu, Surprise U Short Film Appearance ‘Participation is Undecided’
(source)
MNET ‘Produce 101′ Season 2′s participant Ong Seongwu is confirmed to have participated in a short film with Fantagio’s new actor group Surprise U.
Surprise U is the second actor group of Fantagio following the dreams of Seo Kangjoon and Gong Myung. The group is releasing ‘Short Film Project: Beginning’ through Fantagio’s NaverTV Creative Lab channel today (170607) a month ahead of their debut on July 7. In this short film, Ong Seongwu participated and took photos before it was scheduled to come out. The short film was created prior to participation in ‘Produce 101′ Season 2.
Will Ong Seongwu join Surprise U? Fantagio officials said, “Since he is participating in Produce 101, we will decide his participation based on the results.”
From the first produce of Produce 101 Season 2, Ong Seongwu has captured the hearts of the trainers and national producers with his excellent dance skills and visuals. Even in the ranking ceremony, he stayed in the top 10 and stayed close to the top 11 players. Unlike last year, dual activity is prohibited and should Ong Seongwu make the top 11, he will not be allowed to be with Surprise U for 2 years.
Surprise U is the second actor group after Surprise made up of Seo Kangjoon, Gong Myung, Lee Taehwan, Yoo Il, and Kang Taeoh. The group is sophisticated yet unique with an ‘urban&unique’ feel that is hoped to give fresh stimulation to the public with another differentiated group.
Between hysterical front rows and TikTok videos exploding with ten million views. For two seasons, Thai celebrities have been transforming Fashion Week, and Bangkok is riding the wave. Welcome to the T-Wave.
Front rows screaming… in Thai.
The first shock? Mile & Apo, heroes of the Thai series KinnPorsche, welcomed like rock stars at Dior Men in 2023. Since then, the queue has grown: actor PP Krit became a Balenciaga ambassador alongside Isabelle Huppert (you can't get more unexpected), Bright Vachirawit was propelled as the face of Burberry after putting the Met Gala in his pocket. Jeff Satur became the first Thai at Valentino. And Lisa – THE Lisa of BlackPink – is now the face of Louis Vuitton, where every appearance triggers a wave of smartphones.
The media impact is now leaning towards Southeast Asia. For the SS25 season, Launchmetrics places Thai and Filipino celebrities at the top of the Media Impact Value rankings, even though Paris remains number one overall for Fashion Weeks. Vogue Business also highlights the rise of Thai icons like Freen Sarocha or Becca Armstrong at Valentino and Chanel. In short: these "local heroes" are selling everywhere in the world.
The Role of "BL-mania"
But why Thailand, now? Because it has found its "cultural calling card": Thai dramas (nicknamed lakorns) and BL dramas (Boy's Love). A genre binged-watched worldwide, which has converted millions of fans and brought forth a generation of very bankable actor-idols. To the point that economists are taking an interest: the SCB EIC institute already anticipates 4.9 billion baht in BL revenue for 2025, with double-digit annual growth. And this has not gone unnoticed by luxury houses.
Luxury houses? Addicted.
Dior is installing a Gold House as a nod to Bangkok, malls like Siam Paragon are pampering a premium clientele, and local consumers are spending more and more at home. The Thai luxury market was already flirting with $4-5 billion in 2023, and the curve is still rising. In the front rows, Thais are no longer "exotic" guests: they are creating value.
Pop, diplomacy… and White Lotus
The T-Wave is far from being just a matter of fashion; it is also and above all soft power. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has actually put cultural creation at the heart of his economic strategy. On the menu? An XXL budget, boosted festivals, and the professionalization of the cultural magnet. Result: a season 3 of The White Lotus filmed in Thailand, which has caused tourist searches to explode. Lisa's presence in the series also works as a gigantic global billboard.
And beyond the screen, the country sent a strong political signal: in January 2025, equal marriage came into effect. This is the first country in Southeast Asia, and the third in Asia. A societal advance that reinforces the image of openness… and attractiveness for the creative industries.
Bangkok, the capital of the moment
Bangkok is in second place in the "Best Cities in the World 2025" ranking by Time Out. In real life, that means cafes that go viral to the rhythm of singles, pop-up Dior and Louis Vuitton stores that are always busy, tourists who book Koh Samui to do "like in The White Lotus." Between Michelin street food, futuristic malls, and hotels where every corridor lends itself to a story, the capital is establishing itself as the number one city for Gen Z for its vibe.
Why brands are crazy about Thai stars
There's nothing accidental about the fact that major fashion houses are now fighting to get their hands on Thai stars. Their fans are literally digital armies: hyper-organized, ultra-present, and capable of instantly turning a like into a purchase. As a result, each appearance becomes a buzz-generating machine. When Apo sits in the front row at Dior or Freen shows up at Valentino, the counters go wild and the dashboards explode.
We can add to this the role of cultural gatekeepers. Lisa, for example, connects Asia, Europe, and the United States in the blink of an eye, with a halo effect that the fashion houses love. Behind this, a domestic market that is thriving: luxury retail in full expansion, concept stores that make you dream, and regional tourism that fills the boutiques at high speed.
The setback (because there has to be one)
Nothing magical about it. The "all soft power" requires coherence and, above all, solid execution. On the fashion side, beware of fatigue. Too many celebrities can stifle the event if creation takes a back seat. Hence the importance of a fair balance between relevant casting, brand storytelling, and local anchoring. The triad of successful houses.
The real question is no longer whether the Thai wave will run out of steam, but how it will confirm its success. If the T-Wave continues to surf on its unique mix of diversity, audacity, and that famous "Thai smile," Thailand could well become the first major cultural power in Southeast Asia to establish itself durably in our wardrobes and our imaginations. One thing is certain: the center of gravity of cool may have just shifted, and it is now pointing towards Bangkok.
‘High School Alumni’ Ji Suyeon x Moonbin, Sweet Duet ‘Language Section’
(source)
Weki Meki’s Ji Suyeon and ASTRO’s Moonbin met.
Fantagio Music’s FM201.8′s 4th music project, ‘Language Section’, is a duet song by Ji Suyeon and Moonbin that will be released at 6pm on April 30.
Ji Suyeon and Moonbin, who graduated from the same high school, will show off their fantastic duet song ‘Language Section’ that will take your breath away.
