The Talking Points

Musings of a Juvenile Spectator

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2018 MAMA Hot Picks (Part 4) The Fight for the Daesangs

The Daesang. This is the upper echelon of Korean Awards. The award that all artist aspire to have. Like all other years, selecting the final roster of idols to compete for these categories is the hardest part. 2018 has been an amazing year for Kpop, which makes it very complicated to choose. It gets more complex when you try to narrow it down to 3 or 4 players who would, should and could given the Daesangs. So for the final part of this four-part blog series, I will run down 6 artists who are strong contenders for top awards this year. 

SONG OF THE YEAR

4 Sisters and a Winner. That is the arch for this year's Song of the Year contenders. For a year that was dominated by female artists, there is only one male group that stands-out. Not surprisingly it is the biggest hit of the year. However, I believe it takes more than virality and popularity to win this award. Previous winners of Song of the Year aren’t necessarily viral hits. Some were just very powerful anthems that made a mark on their own. The musicality and unique character of the son is also considered for this win. So putting everything together, the Song of 2018 must be an anthem for everyone.

iKon - Love Scenario

There is no doubt in my mind, Love Scenario is the biggest song of 2018. While iKon is no stranger to fame, it is safe to say that this song propelled them to superstardom. As I have mentioned in part 2, this song is literally sung by almost anyone in Korea. The most solid validation to this is its ban to be sung on Elementary Schools. It is a song that begs to be sung. And if you look back on the tracks that won this award, Love Scenario fits the bill perfectly. It went viral, it's musically creative and unique, and each verse makes sense. There is also something about this mid-tempo hip-hop pop ballad that draws people to sing it. Maybe, it’s because of love. And love is something that everyone can relate to. Its an anthem for love, to say the least.  So if there was an artist that should expect a major win come awards night, it should be iKon.

Black Pink - Ddu Du Ddu Du

If iKon doesn’t win this, it is for sure Black Pink who will take the crown. While the impact is less to that of Love Scenario, Ddu Du Ddu Du has its own strong following. It's an understatement to call Ddu Du Ddu Du as a viral hit. The song was a global phenomenon. It more than made up for the long hiatus of the group. And to top it all up, this song solidified their ground in the competitive industry. No longer are they the girl group that shocked the industry. They are now new generation queens ready to take over, thanks to Ddu Du Ddu Du. And like Love Scenario, DDDD has all the makings of a Daesang. It captures the traditional elements that make the song popular. A non-kpop fan friend of mine said that DDDD has a structure similar to Gangnam Style and Nobody. This may account to why the song is so catchy. And yet, while it follows a norm, it also sets a trend for girl groups. Gone are the days of the sweet safety net. Thanks to DDDD, girl groups today are more daring.

Sunmi - Siren

Siren may be more known for its choreography and contextual analogies, but Siren is a song that needs to be recognized. For one, it was a decade in the making. Sunmi always mentions how the song was written when she was part of the Wonder Girls. Sadly, it didn't fit the concept, so she waited for the right time. And the right time it was. Thru this narrative, it frames the song as a epic story itself. It creates a deeper understanding to what the lyrics dictate. I commend Sunmi for this subtle conduct of artistry. It should be noted that besides the long wait, Siren is also the conclusion to a trilogy that started with GASHINA. Comparing each comeback, it is clear the GASHINA was the superior one. However, Siren culminates it perfectly. So unlike other nominees. It not just a song. It's an epic.

IU - Bbibbi

She isn't called the Digital Queen for nothing. While Bbibbi was released later than any of the songs I placed as contenders, I feel like it still has a fighting chance to score. Score an upset, maybe? It has everything that MNET rewards, but also has everything it wants to avoid. Clearly, Bbibbi has the more intriguing lyrical content among the nominees. Usually, a Daesang isn't rewarded to a song that has his dark undertones. When it awards songs, it either dark or light. No in between. But I think this song could break that mold. Bbibbi masks itself with a lofi urban sound, but hits hard when the lyrics progress. Especially with a message as strong as the #MeToo movement, it's hard to ignore. If MNET wants MAMA to gain more respect, then IU is the best way to move forward.

Red Velvet - Bad Boy

Bad Boy started the year right, and I feel like it will likely lead Red Velvet to the path they deserve. It not only started the year right for Red Velvet, but for the whole industry. It set the standard for all the songs that will be released for the rest of the year. And come to think of it, almost the whole year has passed yet Bad Boy remains as one of the most played songs in Korea. Furthermore, it often goes over our head that Bad Boy is actually a feminist anthem. It is not an in-your-face girl power song like that of Western artists (e.g. POWER by Lil Mix), but it gets the message across loud and clear.  So, if there is a wildcard that could upset the likes of iKon, Black Pink and Sunmi, it would most definitely be Red Velvet.

TWICE - What is Love?

Admittedly, I am not a TWICE fan. Needless to say, I love their music. It's the standard sound of Kpop today, and it's less likely to change anytime. Why fix what's not broken, right? And while their sound is the common in Kpop today, they still have a unique charm that only TWICE can do. This is captured perfectly in What is Love? Previously, I thought LIKEY is the song that defines TWICE's sound. However, when WIL? came out, I changed my mind. This is TWICE and this is the music that people love about them. Add to that the MV that only them can pull off. This song was a one, two punch from a kawaii girl you didn't know could kill. So, if that means something.. then TWICE should anticipate a nod for this magic.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

With EXO out of the picture this year, Album of the Year is anyone’s ball game. But what makes an album a great album? It should have a title track that gives the overall impression of the album. It should contain B-side tracks that can stand its ground as title tracks. Each song is not monotonous and has a different concept. Most importantly, it should present that sound that artist stands for. To make it clear, Sound and Concept are two different things. While the concept is important, an artist’s individual sound is often compromised to make up for a style. However, if we look back on previous winners (ahem, EXO), the album must contain a plethora of concepts but the sound of the group or the artist stays the same. And while sales and popularity have an impact on this, creativity still plays a heavy role to earn this daesang. 

Black Pink - Square Up

With just four tracks, Black Pink’s Square Up is able to deliver a knock-out punch that leaves everyone wanting for more. From its Ddu Du Ddu Ddu to See Yah Later, all four tracks were bangers. I've never heard an album wherein all tracks could have been easy choice as title track. More than that, it shows a very solid representation of the YG sound, and the style that Black Pink is known for. It is Girl Crush at its finest. With all of that in account, I think BP has a Daesang soon.

Red Velvet - The Perfect Red Velvet

If I was to describe this album in one word, it would have to be Masterpiece. The Perfect Red Velvet is a uniquely curated album that showed the many sides and talents of Red Velvet. it is not called the PERFECT RED VELVET for nothing. I think this album is the most musically creative out of all the contenders. It plays with instrumentation. The references and hybrid of genres work amazingly well. In fact, The Perfect Red Velvet captures the very essence of what is MAMA usually rewards for Album of the Year - creativity. You can see this with the successive wins of EXO for this category. While Red Velvet has a distinct sound, this album was able to play with their voices, and explore areas of music rarely heard in Korea. It is playful in a way that it gives you a ride as you listen to every song. It is not monotonous. Rather each song is a concept different from the last. That alone screams creativity. Red Velvet should be rewarded because of this.

EXO-CBX - Blooming Days 

I would prefer that Blooming Days merit EXO-CBX their first Daesang, and most “likely to be the first unit to win a Daesang. For one, “Blooming Days” comes from a  trio that has been the most successful group for this category. As such, the album ticks all the criteria for a Daesang. It is a well-arranged album. I mean, it's almost genius that each song was arranged according to the days of the week. Rightfully so, each song captures such vibes. Since its release, it has been my go-to song to listen to on the way to work, and even while working.  You could listen to this album for hours on end and not even realize that time had gone by at all. It’s the kind of album that can get you dancing a little bit no matter what you're doing. It also shows how versatile EXO-CBX is. It comes to no surprise since 3 vocalists are members of this unit. So anyone can expect a vocal masterclass. As a whole, this album is the best of the year and it MUST be rewarded.

BTS - Love Yourself: Answer / Love Yourself: Tear

I can’t choose from either of the two. But needless to say, both albums were able to show unique features of BTS. Both albums are great. Tear gave as Anpanman, Airplane Pt.2, and Singularity, while Answer introduced the bop that was Trivia 轉: Seesaw and The Truth Untold. If given the chance, I would have edited the line-up, but these are some B-side tracks that were really amazing. And since BTS is the biggest ban in the world, they can expect to win this award. I won’t go to further details, this has got to be one of their best albums to date.

iKon - Return

“Return” was a comeback made at the right time. A lot is said about iKon’s music, and it was all addresses in this comeback album. And I must say, they did it really well. While it is far from perfect, the album is composed of tracks that shows a dialed down hip-hop group. Safe to say, iKon kept it safe and it works really well.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

I am very torn to decide who will take top honors this year. Even when I already narrowed down my top 6 contenders, I was still stuck that I had to review what all of them had done in 2018. I went beyond their 2018 discography, Music Show wins, Album charts and the like. I considered everything and how it impacted the whole industry for 2018. They way I see it, the artist to receive this Daesang should have done more than promote to promote their music. To be the artist of the year, you should leave a Legacy. 

Red Velvet

If we are talking about hard work, no other group can top what Red Velvet has done for the year. The girls had 3 comebacks for the year, a Japanese debut, three sold-out, numerous fan-meetings around the world and many more. To simply say it, RED VELVET was busy. And it can’t be denied. The sound of the group remains very relevant even as the year ends. Likewise, their global fanbase is also bigger than ever. Should I remind you that SM was forced to release a full English version of Bad Boy after it went hot during the group’s KCon LA stage?

However, there is probably one thing that no other group can brag about. RED VELVET PERFORMED IN NORTH KOREA AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FORGING PEACE. It has been a long while since an Idol group was invited to North Korea to perform for a peace initiative by the government. In fact, RV is only the 5th group to ever go to North Korea since the first generation leaders like SHINWA, Baby VOX, FInKL, and Sechkies. These say a lot about the level of talent. This will go down in Red Velvet’s legacy. They were the first group to perform in North Korea, in 16 years.

So if you look back, Red Velvet dominated the industry in a subtle yet powerful manner. They didn’t stop. Continued working even when SM seemed to put all effort on NCT. They did all the hard work. Add to that their remarkable record as the only idol group of their generation to perform in North Korea while tensions remain high, then you have a group that deserves all the accolades they can get - including this daesang.

SUNMI

Politics aside, if there is one artist that can rival Red Velvet for this Daesang it would only be Sunmi. Unlike RV, Sunmi performed mostly in Korea and only had two comebacks; Heroine and Siren. However, diving in deeper will show that Sunmi, in her quiet efforts, single-handedly owned the industry like it was her toy. Even with just two comebacks, Sunmi cemented her reign as the current Queen of Kpop. I mean, Heroine had foreign press spinning. And Siren was a sensation in Korea. It may be short of Love Scenario phenomenon but it was a sure-fire hit. And to think Sunmi wrote that song when she was still the Maknae of Wonder Girls. Besides that, Sunmi's promotional effort for her album is also admirable. For someone of her caliber, she still goes to variety shows and the like. Plus, she is not afraid to get messy for her fans. She even fainted during a recording because of the hard work she up out. So if ever there is a more perfect time to award her a Daesang, it is now.

Black Pink

Black Pink really came to fight. All aspects of their much-awaited comeback hinted that they were going to hit hard. And they really hit hard. Their efforts this year were small but hard to ignore. It was impactful. Just like the song, they made sure we feel that gunshot, that Ddu Du Ddu Du. They served a recipe for success. Owning the girl crush concept, Black Pink pulled out all the stops with killer tracks after killer tracks. If that doesn't scream artist of the year, I don't know what will.

BTS

They are the world's biggest boy band, and the flag bearers of the Kpop industry. As such they are the current reigning Kings. If we compare their record from last year, it is safe to say the BTS outdid themselves. Basically doing better at everything, it hard to put their work on the side. I wouldn't be surprised if they win again. I mean, they literally exceeded what is expected of them. What is not to love?

TWICE

Like all other contenders for this Daesang, TWICE's efforts were hard to ignore. For one, Twice literally toured the world and made an impressive impact on the global market. While they are very polarizing, what Twice did this year had the makings of a perfect representative group. I mean, they did not stop. Unlike other artists that debuted in Japan, TWICE came back twice. While in Korea, they had a comeback for every season and owning each of it. They also present a very versatile look this year. The bubblegum pop theme still remains but the group was able to play up with their looks this year. They were quite daring in DTNW, mellow in What is Love? And mysterious in Yes or Yes. This year, TWICE lived up to their label and it should not come to a surprise if they win this one.

iKon

In previous parts, I have said that one song does not merit a win. And I stick to that, which is also why I think iKon can win this award mainly because of their grit. Love Scenario was truly a great song. B.I really wrote a masterpiece. However, this often drowns out the rest of iKons 2018 activity. Love Scenario put them on the Kpop map, but they did not stop. They had successive comebacks afterward, and we were just as impressed. They had a track that had the world singing, an album that was equally impressive and promoted their image at their best. They did not rely on the impact of Love Scenario, and I think it merits them to become a contender.

[thetalkingpoints-blog]

2018 MAMA Hot Picks (Part 3) The Battle of New Gen Kings and Queens

For the third installment of this MAMA 2018 Hot Pick Series, I will discuss the categories that are gateways for the Daesangs. Every year the battle for Music Video of the Year, Best Female and Male Artist are always watched carefully. Most of the time, whoever wins one of these major categories are guaranteed a spot for the Daesangs. For 2018, the roster is short but dynamic. It appears that the artists who were previously noticed for their performances are also the same artist recognized for these categories. Needless to say, while the list is short, the spectrum of creativity is very robust. We get to see the many faces of K-pop thru the nominees.

So without further ado, here are the nominees I expect to win big come the awards night.

TikTok Best Music Video

There are a plethora of amazing Music Videos this year. K-Pop artist clearly made an effort to produce MVs that aren’t just dance performances, but videos that have a deeper meaning. There are a few major snubs to this category. I expected GFriend’s Time For the Moonlight, Ikon’s Love Scenario, and IU’s Bbi Bbi to make this list. Nevertheless, the nominees this year are all exceptional. Relatively, the impact of Spring Day is every notable to this set of nominees. There is also another common theme to the MVs nominated. 4/5 videos presented center on the life of a celebrity - an idol to say the least. Perhaps its safe to say that the videos nominated were the artists’ way of standing up against the constraints of this industry. Given this, it would be very hard to say who will win. What differentiates a winner and runner-up will likely depend on the impact of the visual and how it will shape the industry in the future. 

WOULD - Black Pink – “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du”

Ddu du ddu du is the perfect video to showcase why Blackpink is this generation's solid girl crush. Beyond the viral dance moves, the video symbolizes the girl’s transformation from a girl group full of hopes to pop icons that makes waves all over the world. To quote Shea Coulee, Blackpink did not come to play - they came to slay. The whole video represents female empowerment. Each section shows the girls at their strongest, yet it leaves a certain space indicating that it is still for them to grow. It kinda frustrates me to hear that many Knets only know the video because of its dance. Yes, it has powerful choreography. But a big portion of the video narrates the journey of the Black Pink and what we can expect in the future. Given this, plus the impact of the video on a global scale, it would be a shame if MNET denies YG’s Golden Girls a win.

SHOULD - Shinee “Good Evening”

Before anything else, I'd fight anyone who will disrespect Shinee, especially if I hear any malicious comment about their nomination for this category. Shinee deserves to be nominated. As a matter of fact, Shinee should win this award. "Good Evening" is the most aesthetically pleasing out of all the nominee to this category. It mixes art, literature, and music really well by keeping it at a safe balance. The symbolism in the video is not harsh and in your face. Everything was subtle and smooth. The references made were timed perfectly and revealed during sections that mattered. While it does not show a colorful narrative or depicts a story like Spring Day, Shinee shines by playing with different elements of mythology, color theory, and symbolism. It's quick to point out that it reflects and embraced the human psyche and how contained yet destructive it can be. I think this is the most important aspect of this video. As it honors life and how we shouldn't hold our demons to ourselves. I could only imagine how hard it was for the members to do this video, given the circumstances. This adds beauty to what is already beautiful. The video discusses lost in a very silent manner but leaves a lasting impression even after watching the video. It uses color in the smartest way you could imagine. There is a darkness to this video that you could not see with your bare eyes, yet it has an optimistic shine that is difficult to resist. The set design is also intricately curated to tell a story even in photography. Unlike the other nominees, Shinee said the most by talking the least. It didn't have fancy choreography. It didn't depend on flashy references nor did it rely on popular trends. But you remember it. I can recall how many times I watched this online because I was moved at first watch.

I’d like to believe this would mark a new trend in the creation of MVs. Cuz everything doesn't have to be in your face.

I'd love to see Key, Minho, Onew, and Taemin receive this award coz this is a product of their creative minds. Sadly, SM artist won't attend the ceremonies. I hope this won't affect the results, coz I can't see no other winner than Shinee.

WILDCARDS -  Wanna One “Beautiful” /  BTS “IDOL”

Wanna One – “Beautiful”

“Beautiful” takes on the formula of Spring Day. You take a popular storyline and incorporate it into a video. This is a bold move and it is effective. The story was able to capture the deep meaning of the lyrics. Given this, I think MNET will reward their Golden Child with this win. This is the type of videos MAMA usually rewards so I won't be shocked if they did win on that night. However, with the bar raise so high after BTS' win last year, I don't think Beautiful has enough emotional appeal. Yes, it narrates a very sad story that rhymes well with the lyrical content of the song. But it doesn't offer much more after that. It offers those same feelings that Spring Days has. In fact, it is very much like what Spring Day wanted to say. But there is something lacking in Beautiful for it to score a home run this time. Do they deserve it? Maybe. Is there something better? Most definitely.

BTS – “IDOL”

IDOL feels a bit out of place in this category. Beyond any doubt, IDOL has some of the most in your face symbolism out of all the five nominees. BTS literally called out the whole industry for the irrational way Idol are treated. I commend BTS for this effort. However, as much as I love this video, the choreography and overall aesthetic of the video dilutes the meaning. It would be hard to understand what they wanted to say and would need a second or third look to finally understand it. Which is why I think IDOL is better for as a Dance Performance nominee (Click Here for Part 2 of this Blog Series). Nevertheless, I think IDOL still has a good chance of winning. IDOL (and the whole trilogy that is Love Yourself) is a complete elevation of what we know of BTS. In previous reviews, I said back to back wins can only happen if the artist was able to top its the previous win. For this case, BTS' IDOL has all the reason to anticipate this win. They completely outdid themselves. However, I will only put it as wildcard since I think our last nominee did way better than them this year.

Best Male Group

WOULD - BTS

I find it amusing to know that BTS hasn’t won this award, and was nominated very late into their career. They are the BIGGEST BOY BAND IN THE WORLD, but they aren’t Korea’s best boy group? Now that is suspicious. So, if there is a time that BTS WOULD WIN THIS, IT WOULD BE NOW. THERE IS NO WAY THEY CAN’T WIN THIS. They dominated the world this year, and MNET should recognize that.

SHOULD - GOT7

I find it hard to believe that GOT7 got their first nomination for this category last year. Needless to say, 2018 was a good year for GOT7. JYP’s leading boy group had to successful comebacks. Look and Lullaby were inventive and playful songs that highlighted the skills of the group. As such, their albums were able to chart in the Billboard. Besides their successful releases, GOT7 also had an amazing run outside Korea. Their World Tour were also significant successes. So, its very hard to ignored what GOT7 was able to accomplish this year. If there is a time for GOT7 to win this award, it would be now. Out of all the nominees, GOT7 accomplished the most and is likely to accomplish more in the future. If we were to give ground on merit, it has got to be them.

WILDCARD - NU’EST W

I’m calling NU’EST W my wildcard winner. If we talk about being busy, this group was busy all around. They didn’t just produce music for their brand, they also created music for other artist and shows. So if the MAMA panel will award a group that because of its overall performance and creativity, it should be them.

Best Female Group

WOULD - Black Pink

There is no doubt that Black Pink made 2018 its bitch. The whole year, the industry was on the edge of its seats waiting for YG to drop BP's comeback and first mini album. So when the tracklist for Square Up was released, Blinks and non-Blinks alike celebrated. Finally, the album we have all be waiting for. And Blackpink did not disappoint. It was the truest definition of all kill. When you have a title track that is played all over the world, B-side songs that fans demand to hear all the time, a choreography that spawned an eternity of dance covers and a concept that cannot be mimicked by others, it's then you know that you have reached superstar status. Blackpink solidified their reign as the Nation's Girl Crush, and no one can question that.

SHOULD - Red Velvet

The way I see it, Red Velvet is the only group that could overthrow the reigning queens that are Black Pink. Red Velvet literally worked the whole year. They started the year with Bad Boy, and it was a mega-hit. Then they had a summer comeback with Power Up, and it was amazing. Now, even after the nominations are announced, Red Velvet will have another comeback with Reall Bad Boy. To top it all off, Red Velvet even helped build peace. Who else can say that they performed in North Korea and was able to foster to thawing relations between historic rivals? NO ONE ELSE. ONLY RED VELVET. So if we compare achievements, Red Velvet has a more relevant impact. This is something MAMA should reward, and rightfully so... RED VELVET deserves it.

WILDCARD - Momoland

This one might be controversial, but I wouldn’t be surprised it Momoland earns this award. Why? Because Bboom Bboom and Baam were two global hits. I am a foreigner, so believe me when I say both songs are well received internationally. MNEt typical rewards artist who achieve this kind of notoriety overseas. Plus, Momoland was created under an MNET Program, so don’t be shocked if the station creates magic to hand a win for their global idols.

Best Male Artist

WOULD - DEAN

Dean skyrocketed to fame this year. All his 2018 release were big hits and it's easy to see why. One of my friends told me that Dean is seen like an Artist’s Artist in Korea. His creativity is unsurpassed and he continues to grow. More so, among the nominee, he is likely to have the biggest following. So, it would be easy to give the crown to Dean. He is a sure winner.

SHOULD - ZICO

Zico is not just a singer. I am amazed by this boy’s talent. For me, he has written songs that are more than just catchy. He writes songs that have relevant and depth. It may sound cliche but this should be the kind of artist MAMA rewards. Zico went above and beyond this year. His collab with IU remains to be one of the best songs this year, and will likely be an iconic song in the future.

WILDCARD - Hwang Chi Yeul

Dean and Zico may be two of the most popular men in kpop today, but they are not on the level of Hwan Chi Yeul. Chi Yeul is cross-generational. He is literally a household name. Besides that, he is also very popular abroad. So if there is something that will merit Chi Yeul’s win besides his artistry, it would be his overall appeal. One thing that Zico and Dean are short of.

Best Female Artist

WOULD - Sunmi

Why should I even write, when everything is self-explanatory. Sunmi owned this year so she would win this year. Plain and simple.

SHOULD - Taeyeon

Taeyeon didn’t promote any of her songs this year. Yet, she continues to chart and be hailed as Korea’s Best Soloist. While a lot can be said about her, you can’t deny talent when its overflowing. This is especially particular with her solo album. Something New is a treasure trove, and I think it has the making of an outstanding album. This alone should merit Taeyeon of the win.

WILDCARD - Heize

Heize was close to winning this last year, if not for digital queen IU. However, this year might be the same story. While all her songs were amazing and powerful, Sunmi’s Siren and Taeyeon’s Something New were very powerful hits. I am not sure Jenga, Didn’t Know Me or Mianhe could top Sunmi and Taeyeon. Nevertheless, I won’t be surprised if she finally bags this. Like I said before, Heize did great so I wish they would give her this award this time.

Best Unit

WOULD AND SHOULD - EXO-CBX

EXO-CBX should and would win this. Why? They were really the best unit of 2018. I don’t think anyone could top what they have done. EXO’s three-piece ensemble has the same star power and charm, and then some. Blooming Day was a masterclass for all kpop artist. It was a well-curated album that perfectly showed the nuances of Chen. Baekhyun and Xiumin’s talent. Add to that, CBX also had a Japanese debut. Horololo was the bomb. CBX didn’t do anything wrong. So if they ask “Can we have Best Unit, Can we?” WE WILL AND SHALL SAY YES.

WILDCARDS - Triple Position / SEMINA / Oh!GG

I won’t go into further detail for this one. With the exception of Oh!GG, these nominee had amazing songs. I was obsessed with Kangaroo. I reminisced with Lil’Touch. I bopped with SEMINA. All of them were great songs and showed the talent each member had. But CBX was really powerful, I don’t think anyone of them can eclipse that sun. Needless to say, if politics come into play, either of these wildcards should be ready for a speech.

[thetalkingpoints-blog]

2018 MAMA Hot Picks (Part 2) The Battle for Best Performances

For the second installment of this the four-part blog series, I will discuss the core of the MAMA awards - the Competitive Performance Awards. While these categories are not much given highlight, I believe this is the part of the show that actually gives credit to talent and creativity. Some readers might comment that these categories are actually more controversial since they are often overlooked, and MAMA often awards those who are popular. True enough popularity and an artist “machinery” to gather attention play a major role in this. However, I’d like to think that in order to be popular, talent plays to a certain degree.

I’d also like to point out an interesting narrative for these years nominees. Every category is a mixture of artist that are staples and icons in the industry, going against hot newcomers that hit the ground running. This is an interesting mix and would probably garner more fanfare. This factor makes these categories more interesting and more competitive. And from a viewer perspective, with this kind of narrative going on, a win from these category validates one’s status and dominance in the industry.

With that aside, I think this year’s nominees for the Performance categories are truly the best of 2018. Unlike last year, the competition for each award is pretty stiff. Its anybody’s ball game at this point. I think the breaking point for any tie or whatsoever would be the on the preference of the MAMA Panel.

For this installment, I will discuss again the merits of the artist’s nomination, how they will fare against the MNET voters - who should win and who would win.

BEST DANCER PERFORMANCE - MALE GROUP

It felt like all the groups that either debuted or came back had solid choreography. It wasn’t as if they just aimed for a trendy dance that would make them viral. Rather, there was a clear effort to attenuate the skill set of every idol. The dance performances of male idol groups are particularly challenging this year. In fact, I think there are major snubs to this category this year. I find it hard to believe that neither NCT Dream’s We Go Up, JBJ’s My Flower nor IKON’s Love Scenario is not in this list. Perhaps, the potential for this category is too robust. Boy groups really snapped this year.

WOULD - Wanna One “Boomerang”

Wanna One is obviously MNET’s Golden Child. If last year, they were the station’s baby, now they are the chosen children. I can’t blame MNET for that. When your the biggest group to ever come out of a show you produce, why wouldn’t you reward them? Best Dance Performance is just one of the many nominations the beasts from Produce 101 received and is likely to be the one they will surely bag this year. Boomerang is such a catchy song, with a killer choreography. MAMA has a history of awarding this choreography that is challenging, but one people can follow easily. Boomerang fits the mold perfectly. So if there was a win that Wanna One can be certain to take home by the end of the night, it would be this one.

SHOULD - Seventeen  “Oh My!”

Here is a song that has all the reasons to win. For one, SVT has a good track record when it comes to winning this category. Last year, they won the award and was nominated the year before. And it makes sense why they are almost a staple for this category. They always present the exact type of choreography the MAMA Panel awards - challenging but catchy. Which is the same for “Oh My!” As their 2018 comeback, SVT made it a point to release a song that many people will want to dance to. And they sure did. So I won’t be surprised it SVT wins this. SVT SHOULD WIN THIS. HOWEVER. I HAVEN’T SEEN A GROUP WIN BACK TO BACK DANCE AWARDS IN MAMA EVER. So that would be the one thing that might hold them back. Other than that, I think SVT’ Oh My has what it takes to win big.

WILDCARD - Pentagon “Shine” / GOT7 “Lullaby”

Pentagon – “Shine”

Shine might the be the wildcard of this year. Why? Shine is a very catchy song. It utilized dance moves that are very common and popular today so anyone who hears their song will be able to dance to them. They have a lot of thing going on against them. They are a relatively small group compared to other nominees, plus their agency is in a lot of fire. However,  I believe a win is what they need right now. You can’t clock them for their hard work. The year 2018 started well for them. It just so happened that scandals suddenly went off. It is completely invalid for MNET to deny them the award just because of the scandal. Shine was a great comeback, and it deserves to win.

Got7 – “Lullaby”

JYP is clearly on a rise these days, and Got7′s lullaby is just one of the proofs. Personally, I think “Look” has a better choreography than Lullaby. Nevertheless, both comebacks were strong. It just so happen that Lullaby is much more popular than Look. When they released this song, I immediately thought that this was a shoo-in for any Dance nominations this year. the Footwork, the synergy and everything about their dance was a masterclass. However, I do not think Lullaby has enough fanfare to win this award as opposed to the other nominees. It fits more of a music video accolade than a dance, given the camera work in this song is impeccable. Needless to say, Lullaby is a pretty catchy choreographies, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they earn a special award for it.

BEST DANCER PERFORMANCE - FEMALE GROUP

Perhaps this is one the trickiest to assess. While the winner is clear, I can’t completely point my finger on how the MAMA panel will ultimately decide. The nominees this year frontrunners at their given times. Its as if the nominees were a time-lapse feature of who was on top of their game at a given month. Nevertheless, unlike the other categories, popularity plays a big part in girl groups. If we look back on the previous winners of this category, the popularity of the group is often considered. By popularity, I mean the overall appeal of the group. This has often lead MAMA to be under scrutiny, but the appeal of the group plays a huge role in the appeal of the choreography. Hence, it makes sense for that to be considered. 

WOULD / SHOULD - Black Pink “Ddu Du Ddu Du”

BLACKPINK SHOULD WIN and WOULD WIN. Ddu-du Ddu-du is one of the biggest songs of 2018 (right after Love Scenario) so it would be an injustice if they don’t win anything. Most especially the best dance. Ddu-du Ddu-du was able to eclipse all the current dance hits of that time with just one fiery hand movement. Almost everyone in the world dances to this song and copied the choreography. This is an award that screams Blackpink, and if MAMA doesn’t give it to them…I say boycott.

WILDCARD - Red Velvet “Bad Boy” /  Twice  “What Is Love?”

Red Velvet – “Bad Boy”

Red Velvet had everything going well for them when they released Bad Boy. For the whole year, Bad Boy was the female anthem of Korea. Everyone was bopping and gliding to the smooth beats of Red Velvet. As a spectator, I thought Bad Boy was the clear winner for Best Dance for 2018. but then Blackpink happened. Like Bing Bangle, Red Velvet’s Bad Boy is the exact type of choreography the MAMA panel awards. It helps that the narrative to the song is extremely beautiful. Take note that RV had to release an English version of this song because fans went wild after hearing it at KCon LA. Sadly, YG’s four-piece money-maker eclipsed them all. Perhaps, Wendy, Yeri, Joy, Irene, and Seulgi will have to wait next year until crown for best dance comes back to them.

Twice – “What Is Love?”

It is such as shame that many fans are saying TWICE has no chance to win this award this year. Coming from the backlash they received last year, I think TWICE does not deserve the hate this year. Especially with What is Love? Personally, I think its a very catchy song. It has a fun choreography, that is also challenging at the same time. You may liely looking at it, but when you try dancing it yourself... hahahah you have whole new strom coming. This is why I think TWICE still has a chance this year. Frankly, Ddu Du Ddu Du is a monster of hit. Bad Boy has its own charm. But What is Love? has its own beauty that can match the power and charm of both songs. Its not a front runner, but I won’t be surprised if they become big winners this year.

BEST DANCER PERFORMANCE - SOLO

Besides the Daesangs, this is the award I am looking forward the most this year. Why? Because it all features the brave solo artists that were able to challenge and defeat the strong groups of Kpop, despite being a singular player. What’s more interesting is that among all the categories, this feels like a real Battle and a Rite of Passage at the same time. All six nominees represent a particular face and time for Kpop. They also share a similar story pas to how they emerge as the strongest players of this generation. With this at hand, deciding who the winner will depend on which among the six has made the biggest impact.

WOULD / SHOULD - Sunmi “Siren”

There is no doubt, SUNMI will win this. Well, the MAMA panel has awarded this to her before so it won’t be much of a surprise if she did. However, this win would mean so much more. As mentioned, this is the category that is jam-packed with legends. If the MAMA is given to her, it would be ultimate validation that she is the most successful former groupie turned soloist. This is just about what SUNMI needs right now. Since GASHINA, she didn’t stop and rolled with the punches. Last year could have been a good time for her to earn that validation. However, upon seeing this list, I realize that there is no more perfect time to crown a queen but now.

WILDCARD - Chungha “Roller Coaster” / HyunA “Lip & Hip”

Chung-ha – “Roller Coaster”

What Chung-ha achieved in a short span of time is just sheer magnificence. Her debut and successive comebacks make for an epic story of how a legend was born. But among all her achievements, this current nomination is possibly the biggest of them all. Winning would be a cherry top. Put yourself on Chungha’s shoes to understand what I mean. Imagine yourself sitting on the award show, hearing your name and your song announced together with the likes of SUNMI, SEUNGRI, HYUNA, and HYOLYN. It would be hard not to cry. This is the ultimate validation of Chungha’s talent. This is Chungha’s rite of passage to kpop icon status. Rightfully so, I do believe Chung-ha has a strong chance to win this award. If you watched Survival Shows this year, Chungha’s roller coaster was a rampant audition piece for the female aspirants. Its impact is similar to what Taemin’s Move did last year. So if the MAMA 2018 Panel continues to award these type of choreography, then Chungha might have a major win by the end of the night. It will forever be remembered as the time the Ingenue overcame the legends.

HyunA – “Lip & Hip”

Lip and Hip is a major comeback for  Hyuna. Well, she made 3 comebacks and they were all solid bangers. Out of all of them, I think Lip and Hip was the perfect song to nominate HyunA. For me, this is the ultimate HyunA song. It embodies what makes her one of the top players of the industry. I could go on to great lengths to praise HyunA, but I don’t think she will win this award. It so sad that I will say this, but just like all other artists from Cube, the scandal they are involved in right now will make it hard for them to rally fanfare to win. Nevertheless, I think this is the best time for HyunA to revitalize her career. And this would be a perfect opportunity for MNET to finally take the stand the long enduring issue of dating scandals in the industry. Instead of making money out of it, why not support the artist that are laden with troubles because of this. HyunA deserves this award as much as Sunmi does. After all, they are WONDERGIRLS. If Sunmi’s doesn’t go home with this award, it is only fitting for HyunA to take it.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE - GROUP

I keep asserting the role of “appeal” in the criteria for selecting the winner. For this category, it is no different. Skills-wise, I believe this is a photo-finish horse race. However, when we take into account the impact and appeal of the song, the winner becomes very clear.

WOULD / SHOULD - IKON “Love Scenario”

Obviously, there is no other winner for this category except Ikon. Love Scenario is the biggest song of the year and you cannot debate anyone about it. To be honest, I’ve never seen a song have a cross-generational appeal this big since Gee. It really sticks to the public. I mean, when your songs get banned in elementary schools because student starts to sing non-stop, you’d have to believe that you made gold. Perhaps, the message of the song also has a significant effect on why it is a hit. You can’t really go wrong with a narrative of love.

And it’s not that the song, the voices of IKon also has an effect. Everyone on this track sounded amazing. I don’t usually like how Bobby Raps, and I’m also not the biggest fan of B.I. and Jun’s style of singing, but somehow it all works amazingly well for this song. For the first time, I appreciated the vocals of IKon. This made me realize that they are not just a hip-hop group. They are an amazing artist.

I’d like to believe that this song deserves a bigger award. Best Group Vocal is not enough to encompass how great and epic this track it. I am looking forward to what surprises might be in store for Ikon during the awards night.

WILDCARD - Mamamoo “Starry Night” 

To be honest, anything Mamamoo songs turns to gold. Starry Night is no exception. Among the nominees, you this nominee probably has the more complex dynamic and has the hardest vocal arrangement. An attempt to reach the notes that Solar reaches is a feast for the Gods. Also, it should be in everyone’s best interest to never copy Hwasa’s charm to avoid embarrassment. Considering all of this, Mamamoo deserves to win this award. I mean, Starry Night was a hit. But, it wasn’t as big as Love Scenario. If there was a special award, Mamamoo should get it, coz they deserve it. But best vocal will have to wait another year.

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE - SOLO

Possibly the most underrated out of all the categories, the Best Vocal Solo Performance has consistently presented artists who are on a different level when it comes to vocal capacity. Unlike the other categories, I think popularity does not impact much on the final decision of the panel. Base on the title itself, what matters most here is the vocal performance. For this year, the playing field is equal. Each nominee represents different singing styles and skills. To pinpoint who wins this category is one of the hardest to do, coz everyone is so damn good. Nevertheless, I think the breaking point here is the ability to impact the audience with just the artist voice, regardless of the visual.

WOULD - Jung Seung Hwan “The Snowman”

Jung Seung-hwan – “The Snowman”

Another winter ballad in this list is Jung Seung-hwan’s The Snowman. Out of the three winter ballads, I think this has the biggest chance to win. For one, Jung Seung-hwan was able to do what both Roy Kim and Park Hyo Shin delivered for their respective songs. He was subtle when needed, but also muscled through the song during highlight moments. I have always loved how Seung-hwan’s voice registers in the music he writes, and I think The Snowman was able to show the impeccable range he has. To say that this is his best work might be overrated, but it surely is one for the books. Also, it helps that Jung Seung-hwan already has a trademark sound and image, that it helps to build this song’s momentum even further. Add together his voice, the vibe of the song, and overall appeal of it - makes for an end product that is always rewarded in the MAMAs. If there is something that will hinder it to win, it would be the fact that 3 /5 nominees are winter ballads. They might cancel each other out.

SHOULD - Heize “Didn’t Know Me”

I may be a bit biased here, but I think Heize has all the makings for winning this award. Didn’t Know Me follows a common theme for many of Heize’s music. It anecdotes heartbreak, which make her music relatable. It can be a hit even if it was released during the summer or fall or spring. It is a winter ballad, but it doesn’t just stick itself like that. I find this aspect of the son very amusing. And Heize is the only one to do that. I believe that is her edge, makes her the most deserving of the win.

WILDCARD - Park Hyo Shin “Sound of Winter” / Roy Kim “Only Then”

Park Hyo Shin – “Sound of Winter”

As a music geek, SOUND OF WINTER IS THE PERFECT WINTER SONG. The instrumentation used to it is the most creative I have heard in kpop in years. Its very immersive and spacious. Listening to it creates a visual that embraces the vibe of the holiday. It makes me cry listening to it. I think I started to bawl harder when the choirs entered. But the best part to this song is Park Hyo Shin’s voice. I am in love with his singing technique. The use of falsetto and head tone in this song is so impressive. The bridge, when Hyo Shin went an octave higher and just slays. that left me gobsmacked. However, I cannot decide if this song or Only Then should win. They both capture the two faces of winter perfectly. It’s hard to pick when both songs are extremely great. 

Roy Kim – “Only Then”

Only Then is one of the most beautiful songs I released this year. The lyrical content is kind of song you’d expect when you hear Roy Kim. Couple it with a subtle instrumentation that grows bigger and bigger in time, makes Roy Kim’s winter track ever more beautiful. But the major take away from this song is Roy’s voice. His deep baritone voice works hard to capture the emotion of the song. That just as the song starts, you will already get the whole vibe of it by listening to Roy Kim’s voice. He also keeps is restrained and collected, even when the band starts to kick in. I appreciate this kind of Roy Kim music, and I think the MAMA Panel would like it. I expect him to take home the award that night, but its hard to say. Some of the nominees this year also take a similar path like Roy Kim. For me, however, this is one of the best in the bunch.

BEST BAND PERFORMANCE

Bands have been on the sideline of the Kpop industry for quite some time. In fact, as a second-generation fan, I can only name a few successful pop-rock bands. It took quite a while to be acquainted with other Bands in Kpop, but now I am following many bands and loving everything I’ve heard so far. For this year, the people’s choice is very obvious, and that would likely impact the final outcome.

WOULD - Day6 “Shoot Me”

2018 is the year that Day6 became a household name. This year witnessed how they transformed from becoming JYP’s Rock Band to Korea’s New Pop Rock Heroes. Last year’s Everyday Day6 series was a big hit. Every month we were treated with a good song, one after another. Their presence became more relevant after their participation in many variety shows, most especially their iconic win during the Lee Sangwoo special of Immortal Song 2. However, it the release of Shoot Me: Youth is probably the biggest milestone to the group’s claim for relevance in the industry. Quite frankly, it one of the most interesting and well-curated album in an industry this year. Every song was a masterpiece. Shoot Me was the perfect title track. It doesn’t surprise me that this was also one of the biggest hit this year. I mean, even non-ock fans would love this song. It was that good. All the aspect of the song was amazing. The instrumentation was clean and musically colorful. The fact that 5/5 members of Day6 can actually slay a lead vocal is a plus factor. Everyone sounds amazing. So, if we combine Day6 story plus the success of Shoot Me, it would be a shocker if they don’t win this award. 

SHOULD - FTISLAND “Summer Night’s Dream”

I am completely dumbfounded as to why FTISLAND hasn’t won a MAMA since they got the Best New Male Group in 2007. As I said, I am a second-generation fan, and FTISALAND and CNBLUE were among the few groups that introduced to Kpop. And with the years of experience under their belt, it safe to say that they are already an icon. If you hear newbie rock groups, the influence of FTISLAND is very prominent. Likewise, this iconic sound is very much present for Summer Night’s Dream. What I like most about this comeback is the more dynamic participation of other members, and how it goes beyond the box. This song is not a pop-rock ballad we normally from FTISLAND. It is more of a Pop song you commonly hear from idols. Nevertheless, it does not lose its identity as a rock anthem. Hongki’s sound will still pierce through the song, but he does not go all out. Jaejin’s soft tone works perfectly for this song to add flair and emotion. Donghyun’s tender approach to his verse was very stylized. And shall we not forget Seunghyun’s epic rap. In paper, this has all the makings for Best Band Performances and they deserve it. But the facts are facts. MAMA hasn’t awarded FTISLAND for a long time. This might be a good comeback but like the previous times when CNBLUE and HyuHok overshadowed them, Day6 might have eclipsed them this time.

WILDCARD - Kiha and the Faces “Cho Shim”

Kiha’s come back is probably the most unique sounding song out of the 5. It has a certain charm about it that is hard to ignore. Especially when he is competing against songs that hit hard when it comes to instrumentation and vocal gusto. Kiha offers a restrained and soft presentation. And because of that, it stands out. Chi Shim is a palette cleanser, so to speak. And it is possible that this gentle song will shock the people come awards night.

BEST Hip Hop and Urban Music

Unlike other categories, to analyze this category is quite harder. It debuted last year with Heize, and that just about the reference I can have. Needless to say, the roster this year is quite evenly matched. However, the deciding factor for this is the appeal of the song, even to non-fans. Since Urban Music is for a distinct taste, the song that has the most impact even to non-urban listeners will likely win this. This was Heize’s key to win last year, and it is possible to be the criteria again.

WOULD - Dean “Instagram”

Beyond any doubt, Dean is one of the fastest rising hip-hop stars of today. Instagram is one of the validations to his rise. I am obsessed with this song. It is a relatively easy sounding song, but this chill vibe is full of deep emotions. Dean sounds amazing in this song as well. He shows a different kind of swag. Combine all of this things, and you have a hit. I personally believe this has the biggest chance to win. Since they changed this category last year, it makes the envelope bigger but the selection narrower. If we base it on their last winner, Dean captures the same essence. But it would be hard to say. His only edge here is the global impact of his song. I mean, who else was covered by an AKB48 member here? No one else but him. So if that doesn’t speak for this song’s appeal and impact, I don’t know what will.

SHOULD - Heize “Jenga”

Jenga references the heartbreak of Don’t Know You but puts it in a perspective of a lover knowing its about to end. Let that puzzle sink in for a while. If that blew your mind away, well then maybe you are now a Heize fan. I am in love with her songwriting skills. I’d like to believe that Jenga is her greatest work to date. The melody of this song is the most playful I’ve heard from her, and I LOVE IT. As a music geek, I love everything about this song. I recommend you watch React to K’s reaction to this song (below), for you understand why I am so delighted about this song. As such, I think this song deserves Heize’s back to back win. For one, it is better than what she has previously presented. Second, it combines all the things that the other nominees were able to present. For me, this is the ultimate example of “Urban Music.” Ladies and gentlemen, this is Heize’s world and we just live to love her music.

WILDCARD - Zico “Soulmate”

I’ll keep it short for this one. This song is good. ZICO and IU in one track is nothing short of fantastic. In fact, I think they have a strong chance to win this. However, it’s too playful for me. I was shaking after hearing Zico rap, right after the softest vocal harmony you will hear. It has a sweet and dainty melody, but that’s it goes big. ON the upside, the vocal performance of Zico and IU here is cool tho. Its also smart for this song to choose a laid-back track and depend on instrumentation that is light. I’d like to believe they have a fighting chance to win. But if I was judge, it is a wildcard. Perhaps a special award for the best collab?

[thetalkingpoints-blog]

2018 MAMA Hot Picks (Part 1) From Survival Shows to Rising Superstars

MAMA is back again. This time, its bigger than ever. As a K-Pop Fan, my opinions about MAMA is very polarizing. There are times that I like it and I see the validity of the award. but then there are times when I absolutely question their choices. There are many times in which my forecast was correct. Long before I started this blog, I would fill my twitter feed with forecasts and hot picks for each category. And as I said, many times I was correct. But then there are times, I am completely shocked by how the votes turned out.

So, in anticipation for the kick-off of Korea’s award season, I will write about my predictions on who would win, should win, and could potentially be a wildcard for every category. Please do note, than in respect to other nominees, I will not write about them unless I feel like they SHOULD, WOULD, or is a WILDCARD. I am on the process of clearing out negative speech. Hence, to try to make things positive, I will only give highlight to 3 or 4 artist. Likewise, Now I know that MAMA has more 10 main categories, plus the 3 Deasangs. I will make this a four-part blog series.

For the first installment of this four-part series, I will talk about the Best New Artist nominees. The Kpop industry is bigger now more than ever. With numerous artist making waves all over the world, the discussion among many in the industry is how to keep with this trajectory. The future of the industry and how it can grow even bigger is discussed more often than not. Last year, Wanna One was awarded as the best new male artist. Not surprisingly, the group went on to dominate the K-Pop charts and continue to gather clout on the global scale. So for this year, the expectations for the New Artist nominees are of equal weight.

BEST NEW MALE ARTIST

The best new male artist nominees this year present a singular story - SURVIVAL. All nominees, in one way or another, were part of notable Audition Survival Programs. Perhaps this was an impact of Wanna One’s successful run last year. However, what makes this different from the past is its incredible variety of nominees. If there is one consolation to this roster, it would be hard to choose just one

WOULD - Stray Kids

I’m just gonna say it, STRAY KIDS WILL WIN THIS AWARD. Do they deserve this? Yes. Are they really the best? Maybe. Then why? JYP discover diamonds in the right when he launched SIXTEEN and gave birth to TWICE. So in hopes to replicate this success, the Asian Soul decided to create another survival show. This time focused on a group of boys hidden under the JYP basement for a long time. And boi, was JYP right. Not even a debut song, the Theme Song for Stray Kidz, HELLAVATOR was already making big waves in the music charts. The survival show was one of the most watched programs last year, after Produce 101 season 2, paving way for an enormous fandom for the boys. Stray Kids dominated the industry even before they debuted. So when their time came, it was like all hell broke loose. The boys ruled the charts and their songs were radio staples everywhere. This narrative is the kind of story MAMA usually rewards. We’ve seen this numerous times in the past. But one should note that this is only possible coz this group had the best machinery. They come from one of the biggest company in Korea. Just by affiliation, these boys were already destined for stardom. Add to that the fact that they are truly a hard working group - creating their own songs, and doing the most to expose themselves - then winning not be a shock for Stray Kids.

SHOULD - Kim Dong Han

Donghan is one of the most successful alumni of PD101 Season 2. To say that he has come far is probably an understatement. Since his debut as a member of JBJ, he has continuously shown growth. Which is why his win-earning Debut should not come as a shock. However, I don’t think he has the clout to win this. Don’t get me wrong, his achievements in a short period of time are extraordinary. He is a super rookie, that is for sure. He had an amazing timing to debut. He waited after JBJ’s disbandment and did not go against Kim Samuel, Wanna One and Jung Sewoon last year. If we decide this by merits alone, I think Donghan DESERVES TO WIN THIS AWARD. However, as he is coming from a smaller company, he might not have a machinery to rally up clout to merit the ultimate validation of talent.

WILDCARD/S - HAON/Vinxen

HAON

After winning School Rapper, HAON set himself ablaze with successful tracks one after another. As the newbie Hip-hop artist in the block, he carries himself with much confidence and writes songs that are beyond his years. I am not a big hip-hop fan, but HAON made me love this genre. Will this merit him a win? I do not believe so. MAMA isn’t much rewarding to newbie Hip-hop artist. Perhaps the most successful hip-hop act to win this is Chakra, and that group is more Idol than Hip-hop. So despite HAON’s impeccable run, the biases of the MNET are likely to prevail.

Vinxen

Another School Rapper alumni, Vinxen has made himself a household name by creating songs that match the emotions of almost everyone. For a young artist, I am amazed by the body of work Vinxen has produced. Like HAON, he turned me to a hip-hop fan. If these two continue to work in the level they are right now, Korean hip-hop will have an amazing future. However, and just like HAON, their chances of winning are very slim. For one, their fanbase isn’t as exciting as the Idol nominees. The bias of MAMA to award Idols than rappers is also a prevalent hindrance. Personally, I want VINXEN to win, but I am a foreigner and my vote only counts as one versus the millions of others. But who knows. School Rapper is an MNET show. The company might reward either of the two, to promote the program. Remember, an MNET baby is always an MNET baby.

BEST NEW FEMALE ARTIST

As for the female nominees, the impact of survival shows is still significant in the roster. 3/7 groups had members compete in survival shows. While the others are bands built to replicate the magic of girl groups. However, unlike the male nominees, the female nominees have an extra added factor to it - PROMOTION. For me, the best new artist category will ultimately be decided on which artist had the best promotion building up to its debut, reaching to where the group stands right now. I believe what happens before - the Pre-Debut Stage - will have an impact on how votes will be cast to determine the winner.

WOULD - IZ*ONE

These are the girls of Produce 48. With one song under their name and debuting the day the nominees were announced, there is nothing more suspicious than seeing IZ*ONE on this list. Given that, MNET will likely hand this award to them on a silver platter. La Vie En Rose is an ok song, not a great song. But it does the job. So for IZ*ONE to win this award, much of bearing is because their pre-debut platform was the Produce series. And given that all the winning team of Produce 101 subsequently won this award the previous years, makes their chance a lot stronger than the other. I am not saying that these girls are not talented. I am a fan of the show and is more than excited when they debuted, but I feel like it is not enough reason for them to win. In fact, if you look back, there is more talk about the trainees that didn’t win instead of the girls that did make it. Nevertheless, to deny IZ*ONE of this win will crush the whole branding of the PD series and that is something they do not want to happen.

SHOULD -  (G)I-DLE /  LOOΠΔ

(G)I-DLE

(G)I-DLEAfter watching Soyeon slay PD101 and Unpretty Rap Star, I made it to point to follow whatever she does next. Her run as a Soloist was amazing. It felt like watching the birth of a new Idol Rapping Queen. But then she went on a hiatus and I thought I won’t see her again. And then this girl group emerged. I tell you, when I saw their videos dancing in the street of Seoul, I screamed. This group was a well-rounded conglomerate of talented girls. I couldn’t ask for more. Then the debuted and killed me more with Latata. It was the perfect way to introduce yourself to the industry. Soon after, the group earned their first win. Everything was on a flower road since then. Which is why I think they SHOULD win. They are the right girls to have this award, and I think the will take this title to further heights of given the chance.

LOOΠΔ

I personally want LOONA to win this award. They had the most creative way of introducing the girls. Plus, who else doesn’t STAN LOONA? The whole world is I love with them thanks to dedicated fans that even tweeted POTUS to stan them. But is this enough to win? I’d like to believe so. They might be coming from a small company but their platform is bigger than any other group nominated. They collaborated with Grime! All of their songs charted well and had good feedback from critics. In paper, they have everything going on for them. Except one, they didn’t come from an MNET show. Instead, they participated in JTBC’s MIXNINE. So if there is one thing blocking them to a victory, the politics behind it will likely prohibit them from grabbing this award. So most likely, if LOONA won’t win this award, they will be the recipient of a special award like NUEST'W and Chungha last year.

WILDCARD - FROMIS_9

If IZ*ONE won’t win, then I think Fromis_9 has this one on the bag. The group has experienced a lot of flak since they debuted. I don’t understand this when all of their tracks are amazing, and all of them are extremely talented. Their latest comeback, Love Bomb, is particularly catchy. So perhaps, winning New Artist will be MNET’s way of promoting and saving these girls. If there is a team that would benefit from winning the New Artist Award, it would be them. After all, they are the epitome of MNET babies - girls that came from oblivion to notoriety. And it’s not like they don’t deserve it. Again, all of their songs are good. Their branding is amazing. And I think they see what it takes to rival the Neopolitan Girl Groups currently on top. If there is a baby that needs to be rewarded, it is them and them alone.

[thetalkingpoints-blog]

12 Takeaways from Produce 48

IZ*One has finally debuted, and they are on a rise. As a viewer, this makes me so happy. If you know me, you’d be sure that I am a fan of the Produce 101 series. . I have watched all installments and version of the show and enjoy all of it. With the finale of its Produce 48, another chapter has closed. It was a good season but was mostly filled with drama. 

For those who are not familiar with the show, the Produce series a big Audition/Survival Program that pools trainees from different talent agencies in Korea. The end goal is to create a project Idol group that will promote approximately a year. Earlier seasons of the show gave birth to I.O.I and Wanna One, both garnered success as a group. Despite disbandment, I.O.I. remains a household name, and former members have gone to succeed in different fields. Meanwhile, Wanna One is a monster rookie group, able to eclipse popular boy groups in some respect.

For its third installment, MNET invited 48 Korean trainees and 48 Japanese girls from AKB48 and its sister groups (HKT48, SKE48, NMB48 etc). As always the girls are to compete with each other in a series of evaluations - Grade Auditions, Pick Me Evaluations, Group Battles, Position Evaluations, Concept Evaluations, and Debut Song Evaluations. The debuting project group is poised to be a global idol group that will promote both in Japan and Korea.

As a fan of both Kpop and Jpop, I was excited to see how the show would turn out. I was particularly excited to see how the girls from the 48g would fare against Korean trainees who underwent years of training. As expected, that was one of the few highlighted narratives of the show. It also helped that these batch of girls were at a different level of extra. Everyone was a character, which made for great TV. Add to that, the level of talent this season was bursting out of the seams.

With that said, here are 12 takeaways from this season of Produce. Also, quick disclaimer… This is a long a$&-ride (NCT Mark, 2016)

12. The Introduction of Winking Fairies

Let’s begin the list with the obvious groundbreaking moment, the Nekkoya stage. When MNET released the video for Nekkoya way ahead of the premiere, it created a major buzz. For one, it was a visual explosion, as all the trainees were introduced to the world. Girls like Miyawaki Sakura, Matsui Jurina, Mako Kojima, Lee Gaeun trended in both in Japan and Korea. The choreography for Nekkoya immediately spawned numerous dance covers on Youtube. It also helps that the song is ultra catchy.

Likewise, the double/sub-center twist created adequate fanfare. Unlike previous seasons, Nekkoya showed two centers - Miyawaki Sakura and Lee Gauen - with the latter as sub/number 2. This twist was a hot topic in fan forums, with many creating theories on how the show will progress. The back story of the Centers helped much in attracting more viewers. Both Sakura and Gauen already had notoriety before the show. Sakura is one of the most popular 48g members but was always short of winning every General Election. Meanwhile, Gauen is a member of After School, who hasn’t made a comeback in many years. The backstories of the center girls made the stage more robust and interesting.

However, what struck me the most was the clear effort of almost all the trainees to stand out. “PARK JIHOON! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” Almost all of the contestants winked whenever the camera was focused on them. It was seriously a cringe-fest. But it made for good publicity. It showed that the girls this season were determined to make their mark, even it is caused them to look ridiculous on TV. If that idea alone doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will.

11. Center-gate

One of the most enduring narrative this season was the issue on Center Selection, or Center-gate as I like to call it. This story was dragged-out to almost every grouping created in the show. I understand that the very nature of the show is to compete for a spot in the debuting group and earn the top spot. It was always about the center. Center, Center, Center! This is not a new narrative. Previous seasons also had this similar storyline. But for this installment, it went on to forever. It was low-key during the Group Battle Rounds. But when the Position Battle Round was on, everyone was hungry to be the center. It intensified during the Concept Evaluation. And eventually died down during the Debut Song Battle.

I’d like to believe that this was MNET’s way of finding girls that have a potential to be a soloist. Unlike the past seasons, the center was styled differently from the other members. Kwon Eunbi wore an all-black ensemble for Sorry Not Sorry. Sihyun was given a purple satin and chiffon dress for RUMOR. Chaewon had a power pink dress for To Reach You. Ahn Yuhjin had red shorts for IAM. And the list goes on. From a viewer standpoint, it looked like the center girls had back up dancers. Can’t blame MNET for this. Chungha is probably the most successful product of the series. It makes complete sense why they are making an effort to make the make the center stand out. In effect, this made the girls hungrier for the spotlight.

Needless to say, despite being an over-used narrative, it made for really good TV. It showed sides of the girls that were very polarizing. Either the public will love you even more or they will just grow tired. Take, for instance, Yabuki Nako is one of the sweetest girls this season. However, if not for the center gate drama we wouldn’t have to know that there were other sides to her. Voters gravitated towards her more because of this. The inverse effect can be said about Wang Yiren. Despite having a strong start, her lack-luster performances as the center for Peek-A-Boo Team 1 and See You Again did not attract more and more voters. Notice that she fought hard to keep the center role for See You Again, however, she was axed preceding that vote.

It also created the internal tension between the girls, which motivated them to perform better. To quote Miyu Takeuchi, “even if I’m not the center, I must make an effort to stand-out.” This practically sums up why each performance was great. Everyone knows they needed to stand-out, center or not.

10. The Curse of the Avengers and the Justice Leagues.

Besides the Center drama, another plot MNET created was the Avengers versus Justice League narrative. Also a remnant of Season 2, this storyline pitted two groups consisting of popular members against each other. This was first used during the Very Very Very Group Battle, Miyawaki Sakura’s team went up against Ahn Yujin’s team. Again during the Position battle, when Kwon Eunbi and Lee Gauen’s team were given the highlight reel. The teams of 1AM and HINP were also given this edit but was not dragged out.

While others might think this was a wasted opportunity and the screen time should have been given to other trainees, I personally like it. Because it showed a certain sense of vulnerability for the girls. Unlike the past seasons, being called the Avengers and Justice League Team weren’t badges of honors. It symbolized crutches that the teams have to bear. Not one team who was labeled as Avengers or Justice League were given a smooth edit. The focus was mostly on how the Teams are dysfunctional. For example, Sakura’s inability to be the center for Very Very Very was highlighted. Team Side to Side’s lackluster choreography was given hard emphasis. The center issue and member drama of 1AM and Memory Fabricators was the focus instead of the singing and dancing. Likewise, the position switching was the main story for HINP.

The edit was very different from the past and was focused on the drama. In effect, this gave viewers second thoughts on who to vote for. Notice that girls from these teams felt an immense impact on their ranking after they were labeled part of the Avengers and Justice League. Miyawaki Sakura struggled to gain the number 1 spot after Very Very Very. Ahn Yujin was dropped from the top 12 after I AM. Ko Yuhjin was eliminated and Choi Yena and Lee Chaeyeon were at the lower ranks after Sorry Not Sorry. And Na Goeun was eliminated despite being main for To Reach You. Gone were the days of being assured a safe spot for being part of the Top teams. This season, it meant baggage. And if you can’t step it up, you are gone.

09. The House that Mentors Built

If there was one thing you can be sure of this season, it is that no trainee was left behind. Everyone, despite being eliminated, will come out more talented than they were before. And for that, we should thank the mentors. I’ve never seen a more hands-on set of mentors than this season. The insights of the mentors meant a great deal to the outcome of the stages. Every single one of them was hands-on and made sure to bring out the best in all the girls.

I especially like it when Hongki and Soyou were focused on teaching the girls how to sing properly. Imagine, they were able to correct the Japanese girls practice of singing nasally. They corrected years of incorrect singing. Should I even add how Soyou was able to make Chiyori a better singer with just one training session? Or how Hongki brought the best out of Jo Yuri and Na Goeun, who were already outstanding singers at that point. 

Even girls who weren’t rappers turned out amazing thanks to Cheetah. Who would have thought that vocalists like Hyewon and Sihyun would turn out as rappers. Those who were already good got elevated to the maximum because of cheetah’s mentorship. Beyond that, I find it amusing that the girls use her an inspiration. Remember that iconic Sakura meme. Yeah. that one. It was everything.

The dancing department was not an exception. Choi Young Joon and May J Lee were outstanding additions to the series. There were very focused on teaching the girls how to dance properly, even if meant teaching them the basics. CYJ in particular. He really went there, and at times evoked more feminine mystique than the girls. His choreography to RUMOR, was perfection and his approach to teaching the girls how to evoke that drama of the song was amazing. I cannot highlight how his teaching helped made RUMOR become information the most successful stages in PD history. Bae Yoon Jung also brought her usual tough love approach, which made the girls perform so much better. Case in point, Rollin Rollin. If not for BYJ’s mentoring, that group wouldn’t have performed at the level they were on during the live stage.

So thank you, Mentors!

08. Break Time Dance Break

Is there a PD48 fan that didn’t enjoy this moment? It’s this fun and short moments that make this show more relatable. 

07. The Legend of the Underdog

For this list, I will highlight three specific trainers who provided pivotal and big moments for the show. They are not necessarily the most popular or had the most screen time, but they had a significant impact on the landscape of the show in general.

For the first trainee, I’d like to believe that she had one of the most notable progress out of all the girls. And if not, perhaps at some point in the competition, everyone was rooting for Han Chowon to debut. Despite being one of the most talented girls to grace the show, she was always characterized as the underdog.

Chowon introduced herself in the most unlikely fashion. She was scolded by the mentors for not doing enough during the Initial Grade Evaluation. She was able to bounce back and got a higher Grade rating during the re-evaluation. However, this was not her break out moment. As much such Boombayah Team 2 (aka Snack) was the hottest mess in PD history, it paved for Chowon to be notice.

Her breakout moment happened during the Position Battle, where she sang Heize’s Don’t Know. Guuurrrrrllll! She turned it out. It was one of the best moments of the show’s history, and she did it by being Sub-vocal. It was her finest moment. True it enough, she was rewarded that round. Not only did she get top votes for vocals. Her overall live votes were the highest among all trainees, despite the position. That week, Chowon also broke the top 12 and ranked 9.

The next round, her role as Main Vocal for RUMOR was snatched by Kwon Eunbi. Well, technically. Eunbi didn’t snatch anything. Rather, she snatched the Main Rapper role from Eunbi. After series of role switching, the final decision depended on the Song Producers. While they were extremely satisfied with her vocals, the PDs thought Chowon could do the rap more justice. And boy, did she ever. I thought Chowon was a great singer. Little did I know, she was also an aggressive rapper. She turnt it. The live votes may have been too low, but their song faired the best based on digital sales and rankings. That alone speaks volumes.

Sadly, Chowon didn’t make the final cut. Despite the talent and charisma, her popularity was not enough. Hopefully, I can see her perform again. She is from CUBE, for sure a bright future is ahead of her.

06. The Renaissance Queen

For many of the previous contestants, the show will serve as a platform for them to gain clout - a final shot to fame. For this season, it was not much different but is perhaps more heartbreaking than the others.

Takeuchi Miyuki joined Produce 48 in hopes that it can revitalize her dream of becoming an idol. While she has 10 years of experience as a member of AKB48, Miyu’ doesn’t have that much of a following. Fact is, she has never ranked in any General Election and was never given a highlighted role to any AKB song. So, if there was one Japanese girl who needed to debut the most, it was Miyu. And that hunger really showed.

We first got introduced to Miyu with perhaps the best and most iconic audition stage ever - a Jazz version of Dancing Hero. I mean, seriously, look it up, study it and learn. That is how you make an impression. I had goosebumps just by her opening line. This awesome paid off, as she was the one of two Japanese that got an A.

She followed up this amazing start by leading High Tension Team 2 to victory. As an AKB48 member, she could have easily snagged the center position, but instead she was clever enough to give the position to Huh Yunjin. Why? Coz having a Japanese do High Tension won’t offer anything new. And it turned out well. She did the same magic as she lead her successive teams during the Position Battle and Concept Evaluation.

Her rankings are a different story tho. I’ve never seen a trainee rank so high then drop real low, real fast, other than her. Her trajectory is one for the books. Despite having minimal screentime, Miyuki was able to rank in the top 12 for most of the program. She was number 11 during the first announcement. However during the second announcement, she fell down to the cut off line and ranked 30. Nevertheless, she made miracles happen as she bounced back to number 6, after the Concept Evaluation. Miyuki was able to peak at number 4, but sadly wasn’t able to reach the cutoff for the debuting group.

Miyuki Takeuchi personified reinvention.. rebirth. She came to Korea to build herself up and finally achieve the dreams that she has long worked for. Sadly, the odds weren’t in her favour still. By December 2018, Miyu will graduate from AKB48. It may be her last time in the group, but I will look forward to her music in the future.

05. Crossover Approved Talent

Other than artist seeking to redefine their career, the Produce series has also become a good platform for performers who came from various audition programs. Jeon Somi (SIXTEEN), Kim Sejoung (Superstar K?) and Kim Jaehwan (Korea’s Got Talent) are just a few trainees that came to the show with prior reality show experience and succeeded. This season, one trainee showcased the talent that has been approved by previous shows, Lee Chaeyeon.

I think it’s safe to say that Chaeyeon is the one true dancing diva of this season. I mean, every time she dances is a freaking moment. From her audition up to her Dance Break solo during the Finale Night. Chaeyeon milks the moment when she dances. (And can I just add, in her PR clip, she dances to RuPaul. So, I Stan a queen with taste).

I was not a fan of her initially. I thought she was just being edited to look like she is the best girl in the competition. However, I saw a different side during the concept evaluation. After being kicked out from the 1AM, aka the Avengers Team, she was displaced to a concept she thought she won’t fit in. So it came as a surprise how well she fit the demands of 1000%. And we even got to see how awesome her skills are. I bow down to her. After that, she was my sentimental favorite.

This moment also made me rethink of the image I have with her. This kid has been to two survival shows, yet she hasn’t debuted. And it’s not like she is stagnant. Since KPop Star 4 and SIXTEEN, Chaeyeon has grown as a performer. Her vocals have improved, her dancing is sharper, and her visuals are glowing. But why is she always sideline? She was not considered for the central role in Very Very Very and Sorry Not Sorry. She was even kicked out of 1AM. Her rankings were also devastatingly low at one point. But why does she keep going? If I was her, I would have given up. But then I realized, it’s this fact that she is sidelined that causes her to showboat. She does all of this to stand out, and finally, gain the recognition she deserves. She does this to survive.

Till the very end, she did just that. Chaeyeon concluded her Produce 48 by closing the top 12. So, if you ever doubt yourself, think of Chaeyeon and remind yourself that there is nothing hard work won’t achieve.

04. Long Live the (Vocal) Queens

Previous seasons have a bad press for not having enough vocalist on their final line up. I don’t agree with that. But if that’s the reason why PD48 is jam-packed of Vocalists, then I won’t be mad.

For starters, everyone that audition was able to sustain notes like a real singer would. Hyewon and Minju, despite their edit, sounded good. The Japanese trainees all sounded stable, to a certain degree while dancing so hard to heavy beats. And then there were beasts of singers. Haeyoon, Chowon, Juri, Sian, Gyuri, Chowon, Nako, Goeun, Huh Yunjin, Miho and Miyu. Even dancers like Eunbi and Chaeyeon are able to belt out notes. This resulted in stages that sounded awesome. I’ve never seen a season wherein the fight for Main Vocal was bloodier than the center. As a viewer, I was so tensed when a certain team is suddenly jam-packed with singers. Like for To Reach was, when everyone in the team was main vocal worthy. Or when We Together had members who were previously the main vocalist of their groups.

Everyone had a shot to a main vocal role. It also made me wish that the release official audios for every stage. I would die to hear Huh Yuhjin hit that finale note in High Tension. Or drown myself in tears as I listen to the covers of Truth Untold, Meri Kuri, and Into the New World. It would also be a feat to hear the cover for the dance Battle songs like Sorry Not Sorry and Instruction. This season was that good for singers. Trust!

This season was a vocal festival and we are just there to enjoy it.

03.  INSTRUCTION

I’m gonna keep it short, this team was the best team to ever grace the show. Vocals, perfect. Dancing, amazing. Styling, on point. Synergy, impeccable. Of all the teams formed, this was the only group that felt like a legit girl group, promoting in Korea and topping the charts. They need to debut. Google their stage, and be amazed. Thanks.

02. The Ranking Curve

Like any reality show, the results are always the most unpredictable part. This is particularly true for me as an International Fan. Since I cannot vote for my faves and is distant from the population that participates in the voting, I cannot fully assume who will make the cut. It a guessing game for me.

While this is absolutely true for international fans, the latest season of Produce was also tricky for the local viewers. It felt like the unpredictable nature of the show took steroids and was pumped up to induce anxiety to everyone that watches it. It’s like your playing Mario Cart, and you in the first place. Then suddenly, a Magic Box popped open and boom, you're on the outskirts of the ranking. And this yoyoing in the rankings happened thrice.

The first shocker happened during the Second Ranking Announcement when initial front-runners dropped ranks. Girls like Choi Yena, Lee Chaeyeon, and Goto Moe found themselves at the lower ranks. Miyu Takeuchi was at the cut-off mark and survived with the skin of her tooth. Yamada Noe and Ko Yujin who already had a strong following were surprisingly eliminated. Top girls like Sakura, Ahn Yunjin and Lee Gauen were at the lower half of the top 12. Needless to say, new faces were included in the top 12 like Jo Yuri, Chowon, Hyewon, Huh Yunjin and Kim Min Jun - all previously low in ranks.

Part 2 happened the following announcement. Girls who previously were in the top 12 were suddenly eliminated. The likes of Wang Yiren, Huh Yunjin and Goto Moe were kicked-off. Girls with a big international fanbase like Kim Doah and Nayoung barely reached the top 20 and were also eliminated. Some who were stable in the ranking also dropped places like Kwon Eunbi. Likewise, bottom girls were able to bounce back. But the biggest surprise was Miho who made her debut in the top 12 at number 2. At one point she even ranked number 1.

Lastly, like all trilogies, the biggest shocker happened during the Debut Announcement. Do I need to elaborate? Lee Gaeun didn’t debut. Lee Chaeyeon was top 12. Han Chowon was top 13. And Have ng Wonyoung was number 1, beating out heavy favorites like Sakura and Miho. I could enumerate further on what makes the final announcement the shocker that would end all shockers. But the bottom line, the Debut group wasn’t what we expected.

01. 30 Girls 6 Concept 1 Powerful Episode: The Magic of Concept Evaluation

I will conclude this list with the best part of the show. It provided big moments that reflected till the end.

As a fan of the show, I am always excited to see what the Concept Evaluation has to offer. In season one, In the Same Place and Yum Yum were big hits. A friend who studies in Korea told me that Yum Yum became an ad favorite in Korea, while In The Same Place helped shaped IOI’s sound. Likewise, in season 2, Triple H blessed us with Never. Never charted number in almost all music platforms, and was the biggest hit of 2017. The only thing that topped it was Energetic. So, for this season, you can say that I was super excited.

My excitement was not out in to waste. The songs were on point, and the teams were amazing. I’ve never seen an episode in PD history, wherein all the trainees were hungry to win. Front runners like RUMOR and See You Again did not disappoint. Rollin Rollin was the biggest surprise of the night and served the best stage. To Reach You was a vocal masterclass. 1000% showed the biggest growth. And while IAM was the weakest, it still served up some magic.

It was the best episode of the season and was easily the biggest moment of the show. Sadly, it followed a shock elimination in the next episode and girls that shone were the victims. But in retrospect, it was a nice send off for them. At least they were able to leave at their best, and that’s what’s important.

As said, this episode also left a lasting impression till the end. With Jang Wonyoung’s winning performance as Center for Rollin Rollin, her fan-base grew so much bigger. The impact was not noticed immediately but was only revealed during the final announcement. No one really expected her to be the final center, but this was also validated when they look back and realized she has done this twice already.

Chaewon and Jo Yuri’s performance here also helped them bagged a spot in the final line up. They were close to invisibility during the Finale, but their vocals and center performance in To Reach You helped gain the needed clout. Like Wonyoung’s growth, it wasn’t quick, but it was continuously growing.

However, unlike Wonyoung and Yuri, this episode was the moment that killed Gauen’s chance to debut. The edit did her wrong. First, she was shown to have bullied Chaeyeon out of the team. Then they showed her in a negative light by highlighting her unnecessary sexuality and removing her from being the center. She ranked well after the episode, but her following fell short after that.

[thetalkingpoints-blog]

Back to square one

Someone told me to start by sharing what motivated me to write a blog. So, here I am, doing just that.

Over a year ago, I left a stable career in the government service. It was both the most liberating and the most stressful decision I've made. At first, I didn't feel the drastic impact. In my head, I was certain that I would find a new job as soon as possible, and I could finish my graduate thesis in a matter of months. It was right for some parts, but totally wrong in the rest. The first few months were the calm before the storm. And when the storm came, it felt like forever.

As time passed by, I began to feel lonely. I was slowly feeling very lifeless. Every time I try to do anything, I just start to freeze and end up doing very little progress. Waking up was an alarm to my soul telling my that I'm never good enough. And so I began to loathe myself.

But then, something happened. During a job interview, a panelist asked me why applied for the position. Sure, this is a typical job interview questions. And most certainly, I already have a pageant-ready answer for that. But that wasn't why I said. I blurted out "writing." And that's what hit me. I should be writing. Writing whatever I want and whatever piques my interest.

And so the birth of this blog. Or should I say, going back to square one. I realized that I should just write for myself. I'm already having a hard time find a job and most certainly struggling to find glimmers of hope for my thesis, so why not make use of this lull period for myself. I believe this will be a good way for me to unwind and also train myself to write. It's been a year since I last immersed myself to writing, so blogging would direct me back to where I start. Go back to the reason why I loved writing in the first place. Go back to sharing and behind able to express myself.

So for the future post of this blog, expect an eclectic roster of topics. From issues of social relevance to write-ups of the most mundane topics. This is the just the beginning, and I hope for better writing days ahead.

With that said.. Welcome to the Talking Points!