Cliched, I know, but a lesson that took me so long to learn, and one I'm still constantly having to remind myself about.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been trying to be everyone else. Desperate and hungry to become the 'perfect' girl, the definitions of an ideal personality varied through my growing years.
As early as primary school, I idolized the popular girls that everyone knew. A head full of foolishness and ignorance, I follow their footsteps -the way they talked, walked, even the friends they hung out with during recess - but at the end of it all, I felt no achievement, I bore no pride. The only mark I left was the embarrasment of being a silly little copycat.
Enter the secondary school years. Even with awards, recognition and titles under my belt, whenever that 'perfect' girl walked by, insecurity crept up and nagged at me "What you've done is not enough, she's still better, prettier, smarter, richer, and more talented than you are". Bitterness would wash over me, and I vowed "I want to be her. I will be her". Only to find myself try, try and try once again in vain.
You see, my definition of 'me' had always been in terms of others. When I lost them, I lost myself. It was a long period of darkness and confusion, anger and frustration before I hit a point so low...I had no choice but to bounce back. Finally, I gave my new life a chance, and subconsiously, I too, gave myself a chance. Opening up, it made me realize that I wasn't ugly, I simply just couldn't live other versions of pretty. Because I may not be perfect, but what I own is something I can proudly, wholly call mine.
Words cannot describe how perfect this song ( and body *wink*) is.
It's been quite a while sing Taeyang released a slow song, thus this new ballad is such a fresh breath! Not to mention it is reminiscent of the "Wedding Dress" era (one of the first few songs that pulled me into Kpop), a full on, R&B style Taeyang and his emotional vocals working his magic. The melody of 'Eyes, nose lips' is simply beautiful, and the simplistic concept of the MV does justice to the message of the song, albeit being a little boring, but I guess the main idea for a single take video was to allow us to fully immerse in the song without distractions from flashy special effects, costumes or dances.
But it seems like the Taeyang could not suppress his inner dancer at the 3.50 mark, hehe
If you understand the Korean lyrics, you'll really grasp the whole feel and meaning of the song and it's just so...alskjflskd too beautiful for words. Another thing I love about YG songs, they have such unique and meaningful lyrics! If Korean is alien language to you, check out the english translation. Kpop songs, especially emotional ones, become a whole new level when you know what is going on in it rather than it remaining as gibberish :D
A slew of covers have been released but these would be my top picks! Each of them give a different vibe to the song which is really cool to listen to :)
Acoustic guitar cover by Sungha Jung
If you don't already know this guy, Sungha is one of Korea's top acoustic fingerstyle guitarists with multiple albums under his belt, and he's holding tours all around the world...at the mere age of 18. Yeah, it makes us who are his age feel kinda useless huh :P And he's a YG fan, how awesome is that?YG stans, he makes lots of 2ne1, Big bang and AKMU covers ^^ (p.s. He has even collaborated with 2ne1 and G-dragon!) There are tons of covers and originals on his channel, check them out HERE!
Violin cover by Jung Sung Ahn
Another talented youngster taking on Taeyang's hit! If you are a fan of violins, be sure to check out his channel for more of his awesome violin skill and also dance skills, sometimes both at the same time!
Piano cover by Ray Mak
Who needs a grand piano to be able to create wonderful piano melodies? Even a simple one like this can be used to amaze! Ray Mak is seriously a pro in creating covers of every song out there in a blink of an eye. He has over 400 videos now, many of them are sure to be some your favourite pop hits which you can jam to. Find them all HERE. Play them on a rainy day indoors or a relaxing Sunday afternoon for instant happiness!
Vocal cover by AKMU (Akdong Musician)
YG's babies are wowing us again and again. This time they've finally won me over.
I've never really considered myself a fan of AKMU. Yes, I'm aware of their talent in harmonizing and song writing, as well as the innocent fresh vibe they emit on stage. Maybe I hadn't quite warmed up to them yet, with them being so new in the YG family. But with this cover I really am starting to appreciate how wonderful these two kids actually are.
Soo Hyun's soft melodious vocals and Chan Hyuk's unique rap blend perfectly in this new twist to Eyes Nose Lips. The variation in the middle of the song added a lovely surprise with lyrics from Stay with Me and AKMU's very own "little star" and the clever use of the word "Taeyang". I was truly stunned by the perfect harmonization and variation in this video. AKMU could have claimed this song as their own!
Right, enough words, let the music do the talking!
Okay, last sentence. Here is Taeyang's full album "Rise". It's a masterpiece, the best solo album YG's ever released in my opinion :)
A show that stars the same person as the villain AND the hero? Now that's what I call an interesting concept!
Last weekend, I finally had a chance to catch this much hyped up movie, and (thankfully) it didn't disappoint!
Maleficent is a story of a young girl on her journey of loss of innocence, betrayal, vengeance and ultimately redemption. All the conflict unfolds from the traditional Disney theme of romance but in this tale, it is solved with a different (and surprising) twist.
Sorry, a lover's kiss is too mainstream!
Although, this concept would have been novel if it had not been used in Frozen. Maleficent appeared to run along the same storyline, especially in the ending ( rushing back to save the girl, believing that true love's kiss breaks the spell, and finally revealing that the love needed was not between a boy and a girl. Sounds familiar, Frozen fans?).
I'm the real pioneer of non conventional Disney love!
In a nutshell, this movies takes home the message of "It's never too late to change". Not even for an angelic fairy who transformed into a merciless, vampire-esque witch with evil powers who was willing to curse an absolutely adorable baby in the name of revenge.
:O Maleficent can smile!
Angelina Jolie did a great job portraying Maleficent, especially during the scene where she wakes up in horror and grief to find her wings stolen by Stefan. Or maybe her sinister looking features itself (those cheekbones, gosh O.o) did most of the job of pulling off Maleficent's evil aura!
So pretty! Ahh~ :P
Elle Fanning as Aurora was perfect! She was a fresh breath to the dark movie, having the precious innocent spirit of a young princess. Eager and intrigued by Maleficent (she even assumed her as her fairy godmother, haha!), irony strikes when she, the one cursed by her, was the one that turned her heart around. If you noticed, some lines used by Aurora were similar to those uttered by Maleficent in the beginning of the movie. Aurora, in some ways, was a reincarnation of the young, carefree Maleficent, whom, deep down, still yearns for that freedom and peace she once had. It was buried deep under years of revenge, hatred and bitterness, but Aurora brought out that old spirit and opened up "what little was left of her heart."
Well, not much explanation is needed for the rest of the story, it follows a typical Disney storyline. What made this movie stand out was it's unique concept of a dark fairytale, and the human elements to it that made it relatable.
You didn't expect that I was the good guy(girl, in this case), did you?
Was it worth it? Yes! If you haven't watched it, go now! Here's the trailer for more insights:
Gone are the days of uniforms, daily 7.30am classes and rules that make no sense! It all seems to good to be true, and I believe many high schoolers anticipate college life harbouring hopes of freedom, parties and non stop fun. Trust me, I did too. But Pre U isnt a. bed of roses my friends, so here's what to expect!
Stage 1 - Excitement and Exploration
Congrats, you're officially a college student! Finally a big boy/girl huh? Orientation, meeting new friends, wearing your own clothes, tasting the sense of independence and of course, the joy of having no annoying school bell ringing every 30 minutes or nosy prefects reminding you to go to class. It's loads of fun, but so. Extremely. Exhausting.
Why? Because you will be in college all day, into mid or late afternoon. Bye bye afternoon naps! T_T
Tip : Make sure you talk to as many people as possible during the first few weeks of college! You can never have too many friends, and they help keep loneliness at bay especially if you're away from home. If you say you're shy, I'd say this is the best time for a change! :)
Stage 2 - Routine and Reminisnce
By the second month of college, you've probably settled into a comfortable routine - what time to go for classes, where to have lunch, who you sit with during each class. Remember, the more friends you aquire intially, the easier it is to reach this stage!
However, this is also a time when you start missing your high school mates. Especially so if you were extremely attached to them. The emotional support you had for years has suddenly been robbed from you, and you're expected to build a new one among strangers. It's scary and kinda depressing when you think of it.
Tip: Don't cling to your past! Yeah, easier said than done, I know. But time will ease the process ( I started pre u in Jan, took till around May to feel truly happy with my new friends, hopefully you'll take a lot less!). What you can do is STAY BUSY. Join clubs, sports. Its a great way to take your mind off pining for old company and explore new hobbies plus, meet more new friends! Of course, call your old ones once in a while. Don't neglect them. It hurts T.T
Stage 3 - Stress, Letting go, and enjoying!
Muahaha the evil side of Pre U is here to give a nasty surprise - exams, tests, assignments, projects are here to flood your life! If you thought your stress is over after SPM, well...sorry. If you are a top achieving student or wish to be one, then I'd say the stress level in Pre U is about the same as in SPM. This varies from course to course, but generally academic courses such as A levels and Ausmat will push your noses to your books. (Ausmat 2014 student here btw :D)
Also, now you would be able to tell which of your high school friends are true and which are not. After a few months apart, how many still text or call to ask how you've been? Who are the ones who ignore your attempts to contact them and who still actively finds time to visit you? Some realizations will definitely hurt (those you thought were genuine may turn out the opposite) but some unexpectedly good friends will warm your heart. Maybe you will reach a point where you think "My happiness is not tied to them any longer. I'll find it elsewhere, anywhere. I'm a free spirit now!"
The good news to this is that now you are much closer to your new mates than before! You've been to college events together (Freshies night, movie night etc). Maybe you've even hung out or chilled with them during the weekend or after class, and shared some stories and secrets. Heck, if you're in luck you may have even found a special someome! ;) So you see... you will never be alone. Always remember that! ( saves a LOT of misery lol).
Tip: I guess it boils down to managing your time well. For studies, there are no such thing as last minte studying anymore. You either study regularly, or just don't study at all coz putting your soul into your books a night before the test ain't gonna work no more. Contrary to popular belief, studying regularly actually takes LESS work than cramming! Oh, and MAKE YOUR OWN NOTES. They are a lifesaver!
So, that's all for now. I will update another post on Pre U life when mine ends. Till then, study hard, play hard people! ^_^
When after 2 weeks, you still find yourself occasionally disconnecting from the physical world and reminiscing the sounds, sights and feels of that surreal night, you know it's no average pop concert you've just experienced.
24th May 2014 - The day of the K-pop queens, 2ne1's "All of Nothing" World Tour here in Stadium Negara, Malaysia!
Photo credit to owner
In case you are unfamiliar with the sci-fi sounding name, 2ne1 is one of South Korea's top grossing artists. Composed of leader CL (real name Lee Chae Rin), Park Bom, Sandara Park and Minzy, these 4 lovely ladies hold the reputation of being the "baddest females" in the Kpop world, thanks to their unique genre bending abilities (think electro, reggae, dance and ballads blended into one exotic concoction) coupled with powerful vocals, and topped with extravagant outfits, bold stage makeup and an unbeatable fierce charisma that captures the heart of all the young. They are femme fatale at it's finest, a rarity for a music genre that is choke full with bubblegum pop.
As I've booked a numbered seating ticket, arriving at the concert was relaxed and stress free! No need for queueing up for hours and hours in hope of getting (i.e. running for dear life for) the best view of the stage. Apparently, some dedicated Blackjacks had even camped outside the stadium over night! Wow~ The staff were efficient and polite in guiding us into the stadium, and the queue lines for specific seating areas were well organized too! Good job IME Productions :)
However, cleanliness was definitely an issue. When I arrived at the venue, the entire ground was littered in papers, brochures and spilled food and drinks =/ Come on Malaysia, we can show our queens better attitude right? :)
The concert atmosphere was vibrating throughout the hall even before it started! From the moment we stepped in, hundreds of Blackjacks were karaoke-ing to 2ne1's MVs, even producing fan chants! The excitement flooded us as we joined in the pre-concert fun, our anticipation building on minute by minute.
At 7.30pm sharp (YES, this concert actually started on time, kudos to the organizer!) the lights dimmed, lightsticks glowed across the hall like stars twinkling in the sky and on the big screens, giant countdowns began! 10...9... all the way to 3...2...1... BOOM! Ear piercing screams erupted like fireworks and the giant curtain fell, revealing our gorgeous queens!
Photo credit: dkpopnews.net
2ne1 opened the show with the heavily catchy electro number "Crush" (Also the name of their latest album, check it out!) and continued to power on with Fire ( We were treated to a dazzling visual display of real fire and fireworks) Pretty Boy (Oldie but goodie) and Scream! A highly successful way to crank up the adrenaline with those awesome beats and fierce dance moves! Minzy can do a split, woots!
"Anyeonghaseyo, wassup we're 2ne1!" The quartet chimed to the crowd's hyper excited cheers.
After a quick self introduction ( Minzy: "Apa khabar, I'm Minzy!") the show moved on, with the girls taking on some slower tracks - Come back home (unplugged version) as well as a stunningly beautiful set with whimsical swings for "Missing You" and an eerily intriguing graveyard backdrop for "If I were you".
Photo credit Kpopstarz.com
A particularly memorable moment was during the performance of Ugly. This is a song I'd recommend anyone to listen to, as I believe it speaks out to everyone. The times when we feel ugly, not just on a physical aspect but also the emotional side - feelings of worthlessness, of not being good enough, of standing out as different from the crowd - hey, we all have those times.
What made the live version so special was how they took it slow. A fast, rock-ish song transformed into a soulful ballad, their beautiful vocals resonating and weaving into our memories. During the chorus, CL gave her own variation on it and just...gosh. You know that feeling when a voice carries so much emotion that it feels like it's speaking directly to the deepest parts of your heart? An emotion so strong it is almost tangible through a squeeze in the chest. Yes, Lee Chae Rin, that was what you did to me that night with that song. I will never ever forget this moment <3
2ne1 trolled us halfway through by saying the concert was over! "Encore encore encore~!" chanted the crowd, the Blackjacks collective effort booming into a crescendo and Bam! Out popped 2ne1 once again, with an all time favourite - Lonely! Another song i definitely recommend :) You'll fall in love with this one, trust me.
Malaysian Blackjacks were treated to a total of 21 songs (2ne1, geddit? :P) including all time hits such as I am the best ( made even more epic with ultra cool motorbike props and background) I don't care, Go away, Don't stop the music, Clap your hands, I love you (sexy dance by Minzy and CL woot woot!) and some of their newer numbers like Gotta be you. Bom's voice soared during that performance!
Photo credit: clthebaddestfemale.com
Oh, and no concert goer will ever forget CL's killer solo stage - Baddest Female + MTBD medley! Yes, she definitely proves herself worthy of the title "The baddest female". With her powerful rap, mesmerizing stage presence and immense confidence, she had the whole crowd on their feet going boom~ boom~ ^_^ This is why 2ne1 can never be complete without her!
Photo credit astrogempak.com.my
A special guest appearance by Winner, YG's newest boy band definitely added fuel to the fiery crowd, whom i personally felt screamed louder when they appear than when 2ne1 did! They are not bad for rookies, and I was personally very impressed by rapper Mino!
Near the end of the concert, the girls showed their cute and natural side by interacting with fans and receiving their gifts. Dara and Minzy even took selfies with some of the fan's cellphones, lucky Blackjacks!
Overall -> Wow, what a night! Watching the queens I've long supported in front of my eyes was like watching a movie come to life. Malaysia came alive with these four fearless ladies, and this is a concert I'd definitely recommend to anyone, new or old to K-pop to attend. Because really, when it comes to 2ne1, it's All or Nothing.
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