So how now?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

This blog

has moved again :)

serenays.blogspot.com


chow :D

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Big Bang wins but Japanese Fans rage?

I'm pretty sure everyone in allkpop heard the news about Big Bang winning Rookie New Comer Award at the 51st Records Awards in Japan. And this of course, in the process, beating other upcoming newcomers like Maya Sakura, Scandal and Hilcrhyme. However, the Japanese Netizens in fact are very displeased by this factor and therefore, protested about the unfair victory. 

This was taken from allkpop; let's see what they have to say.
A day after Big Bang won its award at the Japan Record Awards, Worldwide Arts Show, a popular news blog, and 2CH, a large internet community, were flooded with attacks and protests against Big Bang's victory, claiming that the judging criteria was flawed. "A Korean boy group that I haven't even heard of nor seen received the Best Newcomer Award through a shady judging process," an individual remarked.

Netizens argued that Big Bang's record sales, which fell behind many other newcomers of the year, were overlooked by the judging panel. For example, Hilcrhyme sold 108,000 record copies, dominating Big Bang's 41,000 sales count. Furthermore, Hilcrhyme's track Shunkashūtō was ranked #1 on Japan's top-selling singles list for the week of September 22, whereas Big Bang has yet to make the list with any of its tracks. "Record sales are an important part of judging criteria, so what kind of criteria did the judges use?" many netizens questioned.

Interestingly enough, Big Bang's Best Newcomer Award at the 42nd Japan Cable Daesang earlier in December, which also beat Hilcrhyme and Maya Sakura, was met without a ruckus. Others have pointed out that Hilcrhyme's Shunkashūtō was released in September, whereas Big Bang released Let Me Hear Your Voice in November, which may have resulted in Big Bang's lower sales count.
credits to allkpop and other sources like BBVIP FORUMS.

I am a very neutral person and therefore, I won't make any wild accusations about this matter. I do love Big Bang and I enjoy their music very much, but now, I have to be honest with my opinion. I do agree with the Japanese Netizens when they displayed much disappointment towards the judging. Fine, I admit Big Bang has been around Japan for a pretty decent durations, promoting their songs here and there. Even to the extent, G-Dragon make collaborations with w-inds for their single Raining (I think). Big Bang are striving their best for the best to make it big in Japan as well as Korea.

But please do note, that this is in fact the reason why I am quite surprised.

Big Bang, though they have been progressing well, their sales for their singles and albums are not very satisfying meaning, their sales record are just average. Of course the upcoming artists had it much worse with just only 8000+ sales where as Big Bang had 30000+ sales with their singles, thus the consistency. 

Perhaps this is how the judges count their judging through the number of sales and therefore making it an obvious win for Big Bang. That is one. 

And the most amusing part is, most Japanese Netizens do NOT KNOW Big Bang. In others words, they're not widely known in Japan. And therefore, the question of sales again is added into the picture. TVXQ was not widely known in Japan that time and thus, they could only take on 7000+ sales for just their first single. Big Bang on the other hand, have been actually indulging themselves into the Japanese music industry recently in 2008 with their so called Japanese Albums which just only consists of English songs and half sang japanese songs. And yet, they make such a big impact on the sales taking 30000+ on their first single.

Aside from that, Big Bang's way of promotion is not very effective either compared to TVXQ which is why not many OR to say MOST Japanese Netizens do not know of their existence. And even when they try to promote themselves is just sad. It's like, they don't want their music to be heard at all.

I understand it is the culture and language which bares the problem for Big Bang because they have just recently learn Japanese whereas TVXQ and BoA have mastered it and now can speak Japanese fluently. To me, Big Bang's songs are pretty much alright and addictive, but not breathtaking.

Their songs are not something to wow about but more like something that gets stuck in your head for a period of time. The only songs that wowed me from Big Bang honestly was Lies and Oh my Friend. Other than that, their songs are just very; typical Big Bang songs. And what saddens me is that some people with such biasness towards Big Bang comment and bash the Japanese Netizens calling them racists and unfair towards foreigners. Also, because they are such loyal fans towards Big Bang, they have the fuck to bring up the issue on their hardwork towards their music and how they deserve it and all.

I am not saying they don't deserve it but bringing up the hard work issue really puts me into questioning you guys.

"Are you saying that Big Bang is the ONLY GOD DAMN BOYBAND IN THE ENTIRE WORLD THAT PUT GREAT EFFORTS TO THEIR ALBUM?"

My answer is no.

There are a lot more artists in Japan who I dare say, perhaps work twice as hard as Big Bang to reach into a level where they are known WIDELY among the Japanese Netizens. How dare you say such pressing issues when you don't know that there are some japanese artists perhaps who are much BETTER than Big Bang are working their ass off into getting their one and only single to the charts. 

And you dare comment that Big Bang's fanbase in Korea is much bigger and therefore it should be the same in Japan.

You are just god damn wrong.

Despite TVXQ's success in Korea and their building fanbase in Korea, they didn't do that well at first when they first started out in Japan. Their fanbase at that time was minimal and their Japanese wasn't very good either way.

But the way they promoted themselves was amazing. Even taking one year off from Korea just to promote themselves in Japan thus, naming that particular year, Tohoshinki year (which is their japanese name for TVXQ) which is why THSK's sales at this rate now are much, much more reasonable that what I am seeing now.

Fine, perhaps another reason for BB's sales is also because of their music which perhaps suits some of the Japanese fans taste. But that didn't give them a reason to win such an award. I suppose, it's different now where foreigners are beginning to succeed in certain countries but I feel quite bad for Hilcrhyme because I thought their first single was really good but then the other two was pretty much okay. And considering they are locals, they should deserve the award instead of Big Bang. But after all, I have to say Big Bang as well have put in much effort to make it big and therefore winning such a prestigious award is a big accomplishment to them.

To sum it all up, Big Bang has A LONG WAY MORE to go before reaching that certain level where I can just put my hands down and salute them. Therefore, I actually do side the Japanese Netizens about this matter. Everyone has to start from small and despite the low numbers, they need to have more initiative to promote themselves. I love Big Bang but I don't think they are ready enough to deserve the award. 

But on a happier note, I am also proud of them for making it all this way from a nobody to a somebody in Korea and also winning an honourable award for best newcomer.

And also I do hope they will continue to improve instead of flopping down all the way which I know they won't because I have faith in them.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Hmm oh yeah

I've been thinking of opening a new blog for a new start because well, I get pretty bored with everything apparently hahah. But then again, we'll see how it goes.

I just packed everything for NS. Filling in applications later in the night. Right now, I just want a moment of silence. I'm actually texting with Cat because well I'm bored. Heh, all the wonderful things I'm going to miss.

It's 2010.

Heh, I don't see a single digit anymore.

NEW YEAR!

2010 IS HERE BABY!

OMG FIREWORKS BOMBING MY HOUSE DOWN MAN :( NOT COOL BUT

HAPPPYYYYY NEW YEARRRRRRR :D

Thursday, December 31, 2009

What would you say pal?

I just finished packing for NS. Sigh, and I gotta fill in the freaking application forms later. What a way to spent New Year's :D

So my resolutions ah?

Well here goes nothing. In no particular order:

  • To get through NS and return in one piece.
  • Do absolutely well in college.
  • Strive harder and change work attitude which means, more hardworking.
  • Be a nice person and not be evil (Like Dr. Doofen..blabla)
  • Lose weight! >( such a main priority
  • Try to save some money- for future savings
  • Improve in all my designs
  • Have a really good and strong character. Try not to be sensitive I guess?
  • Meet G-dragon and hang out with him (though this will not happen but a girl can dream)
  • SLEEP WITH G-DRAGON (HAHAHA JOKINGGGG do not kill me rabid fangirls)
I have more actually but these are the main ones so far :)

I'm going to miss 2009. Omg, an hour's time and it's all over. 2009. And high school. Such a sad situation but it's not absurd. It's a good thing, that we're all moving on to greater heights.

LEAP! :D

Happy New Year's!

Again, we're closing another year and opening a new one. It makes me nostalgic really because 2009 was a good year. 

Perhaps in the past few months, I've lost and gain many things. My resolutions still remain the same and forever will remain the same. I am, somehow truly sorry to those I have angered and disappointed. 

It's time to let go and move on.

Sigh. So sad, it's ending. I'm not going to bore you with the whole sad, new year post and resolutions cause it's all going to be the same. May we all achieve the happiness and success that comes our way, seniors of 2009 :)

I am sure we will find our way and truly our way in college towards the road of our future. May God bless you all and may all your prayers be answered. There are so many things I really want to say now but it just can't be helped at times because it's best to enjoy what we have right now.

Just hours away from 2010.

can't believe it?

haha.

believe it.


I'm finally closing my last chapter. I'm opening a new chapter, a new story to my current life. Perhaps, my 3 months in National Service will teach me something about missing home, being strong, being independent, loyalty, love, friendship, hardship, consequences and so much more.

Perhaps I should take college as something new and great to look forward to.

we'll be worlds apart, but mine's just beginning.

I shall end, with.

HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Bangkok Day 1

Yes, I have decided to be a good girl and post the timeline of my vacation in Bangkok. And my pictures are up so it's a good thing I guess! I'm gonna skip the whole morning and packing process because the packing process was so tedious, I could really feel the nerves in my veins popping out. Nevertheless, we made it through.

Before we left

We sat on Thai Airlines which was pretty damn cool because there's a tv in front which means more watching movies :D But sadly, my damn tv didn't work so I had to settle for Melissa Hill. For an hour and 45 minutes, I was reading Melissa Hill *pouts*

But nevertheless, it made me happier again when I received nice purple complementary flowers from the cabin crew which was so nice. I happily clipped it on my bag because it looks so nice.



We arrived at Bangkok around 3 and we took the bus and headed straight for Pattaya! We were cruising on the bus and it's amazing how Bangkok is so huge hahah. Well after hours and hours of sleeping, we arrived at Pattaya :S The beach was so nice and and and wide. But sadly there were so many people crowding that it kindda lost the taste of beach. Meh, seems so funny eh? We stayed at a boutique hotel called Dusit. The hotel's really classy and small but it was so modern, the design I mean that I just can't help looking at it.

They even give you free complementary drinks!

And apparently XING (yep, I hope you guys still remember them) used to stay there!







And the rooms, were AMAZING. LORD. I LOVE THE BATHROOM I WANT MY TOILET AND BATHROOM TO BE LIKE THAT SERIOUSLY. I WANT I WANT I WANT. Nyeh, 






And soon we left the hotel and went up to the Pattaya peak point where we could see the whole city of Pattaya from above :) and we were greeted with a beautiful tinge of sunset.
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ps: i'll edit this later.