"The Dragon Smokes"

"The Dragon Smokes"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr. MD

The rooftop was particularly quiet this time of day as everyone was busy on the lower floors with the days routines and trainings. V was in a corner and he took a drag out of the cigarette he had lit up moments ago. He let go of his breathe and sighed a little bit deeper than he thought.

"You smoke?" It was Jinyo who had the habit of showing up when he was feeling a bit off. Most people would welcome her company if they were going through something but V felt differently. He was one who never wanted to be seen as weak or affected by anything. For most of the world he was the aloof dragon who never seemed to need anything. Jinyo had a different opinion about that as well.

"I do. From time to time." V answered , crushed the lit end of the cigarette with his fingers and threw it at the nearby trash bin. "Do you need me for something?"

"I always need you for something." Jinyo answered as she moved closer.She grabbed at V's jacket sleeves and dusted off some ash that had gotten on it. "But I think right now you need Me for something. Should I wait for you to tell me or would you volunteer to tell me?"

V knew that he made it easy for Jinyo to find out about his moods and she made it a point to ask whatever it was. There were times that he would meet that question with silence.Or an excuse not to talk about it but he felt a little different today.

"I think I already failed everyone of you here." V said as he looked away and stared at the Blue neon lighted cross of the church that was in front of MW entertainment. "I maybe the last of the Creation dragons but I have made too many mistakes to even be worthy of Ascension."

Jinyo hugged him from behind and for a moment he felt a little better but the things stirring up inside him were still there.

"Mistakes are a constant in life but it doesn't mean that you are judged by all of those." Jinyo seemed amused at what he had said and he knew that she was in her own way trying to cheer him up.

"The Magistrates seem to think so. They seem to be too forgiving of me." 

Jinyo began laughing hysterically and it took her a full minute or 2 to  stop. 

"What is so funny?"

"You."

"Why?"

"Since when did you give a damn about what the Magistrates think?"

V joined in her laughter because she was right.When was the last time that he had followed anything that the magistrates told him? 

Jinyo kissed him on his right cheek. "You are so adorable when you are brooding like this.I know something that can take your mind off your troubles" , the visual said as she caressed her long neck. V involuntarily swallowed.The human side of him waking up to this provocation. As much as he had trained himself to resist these things he simply could not.

Jinyo laughed even more at V's discomfort but cupped his hands and kissed him on the lips all the same. She did not mind the slight taste of the cigarette , this was V and she would do anything for him.

"When the shadows believed they were stars."

"When the shadows believed they were stars."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

"You know somehow it strikes me that for someone who is as pretty as you , you don't seem to like being the center of attention in this group." V told Jinyo as they observed everyone in the practice room.

"Someone else could have it V oppa." Jinyo slapped his muscular arm as if to stop him from making more fun of her. At the same time she had stared at YuuA who was practicing her solo dances with the choreographer at the moment."You know what they say , once you are under the brightest star there is nothing left but shadows."

"I have to disagree with that.Sometimes other stars just need a chance to shine.I have it on good authority that if it were not for you then this group would not have even been thought of. And you have been here for 4 years right? Even starring in one of your Oppas most successful video?" V said looking straight into Jinyo and her wide anime like eyes.

"YuuA Unnie was right about you. You do tend to scare people with all the information that you have on us." Jinyo said while smiling and following YuuA's steps from this corner of the large practice hall.

"I don't think that you are scared at all." V observed. "You are still talking to me."

"Has it occurred to you that maybe I am just talking to you because I am curious as to what you would do with my YuuA unnie?" The girls eyes widened as if to scare V which only made him laugh.

"Are you trying to be some sort of pretty anime owl? If you are trying to scare me then it is not working at all."

"Should I try violence? I am good at that as well."

"You can try to use violence against me but you are better off with words." 

Jinyo flipped her long black hair towards him hitting his face. "Is that violent enough Mr. Dragon?"

V grinned even more. Jinyo was getting more comfortable around him and has been spending a lot of time learning Japanese with him. They have even watched a couple of animes together in the underground basement where he stays when they don't have an appearance to get to. But lately even if they are on the road the usually aloft Jinyo would ask him if he had the latest episode of an anime they liked and they would watch it together with a certain comfort toward each other. V did not mind and he guessed neither did she but when V would ask  other things Jinyo would always point to YuuA. V understood what was happening but he let it happen anyway. When Jinyo was ready to tell him her story then she would.

He looked at the graceful YuuA in the distance and also looked at the beautiful goddess like face of Jinyo who was matching paces with the lead dancer but still lacking a certain "presence" onstage. A drive to be better? A relaxed pace? Then it occured to him that Jinyo was not really here to steal the spotlight from YuuA. She was here to protect her when she can and there was also something else. A certain hesitation.

"So when did you first like YuuA?" V probed the other Visual of Oh my doll.

Jinyo turned red but quickly caught herself in the face of the sudden question. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Ok. Then tell me someone of the opposite sex that you have had a crush on in this past year."

"I don't have to answer your questions V oppa. You are making me feel uncomfortable."

"Ok then. But if ever you want to talk about anything you know where I am right?" V turned around and started to walk toward the exit of the practice hall.

"V."

V paused and turned around catching Jinyo's soft whisper despite the loud music playing on all sides. "Yes?"

"Do you have the latest episodes?" 

"Yes."

"Can we still watch them later?" Jinyo said eyeing him sheepishly. V knew an apology when it was being offered.

"Ok then. But only if you feel comfortable."

Jinyo came closer to V took a handful of her hair in both hands and whipped her hair like helicopter blades to hit his face again.

"Dragons don't feel pain...Usually. We can feel annoyed though."

"You can't feel annoyed at me. You love me." Jinyo said and she covered her mouth ashamed that she had let her thoughts come out like a little school girl who had no control over her own lips. 

"I might.Who knows right? You bring the snacks this time. I brought the last ones." V ran out of the room so fast that Jinyo did not even have time to react. 

"I am going to bring something really spicy. Let's see if you enjoy that."

V poked his head back into the Practice hall door. "Don't bring anything spicy or I am going to force feed that to you. Your diet will be ruined hahahah"

"Oh I hate you!" Jinyo said but seemed unconvinced as she smiled at the retreating V.

"No you don't" V shouted back after some distance.

"No I don't" Jinyo whispered." I want to be around you all the time."

"Bish - Promise the Star MV reaction: Running toward your happy place"

"Bish - Promise the Star MV reaction: Running toward your happy place"

by:

The Vole

Bish the 6 piece anti-idol group has come back with this MV of a school girl who seems to be at a loss as she walks against the masses of a crowded city.

The opening sequences show this girl as a bit sad and a bit lethargic as she moves about in the early morning streets of the city. People all moving around her but she is set apart establishing a theme of isolation and disconnection from this world.

Ms. School girl breaks into a run , as if she has had enough of this and at first looks like she is running toward something unseen. Running until she runs out of breathe.

There is a particular scene where she crosses paths with a group of other school girls , and assuming from the uniforms they come from the same school. They walk past as if as she wasn't there. Again establishing the theme of being disconnected from this world.

It is only later at the end of the MV that Ms. School girl smiles and that is when she reaches the helipad where the girls of Bish have been performing all this time.

Aina the End and Chihiro once again take the Lion's share of vocal parts in this song with Ayuni D in a close third which seems to be their established distribution. These girls actually have a very unique approach to their songs as they never really try to act cute but in this MV they all build on those unique looks , Ling Ling seems to have a David Bowie/Space make-up inspired look.

Their outfits which I initially thought were straight jackets were actually modified monk robes or something that you would see in some space anime minus the head gear. I kept on waiting for something weird to happen in this MV. No explosions.No one throwing things at them.No scenes of violence. Kisses between girls or Kisses between members. Nothing shocking at all except for the fact that I was shocked that there was really nothing to be shocked about. Bish has at least moved on past that phase and become more established in their place as Idols who are anti-idols who can churn out great catchy songs without resorting to shocking imagery.

Promise the star is a great addition to their increasing hits  , the rock guitars take a back seat to the sweeping piano/ keyboards and this sound permeates through the entire song making the leads sound like in their previous song Orchestra  , Strings are also employed in the song making it a bit like a cinematic theme. Listen to the last keys on this song as the School girls finally arrives at the helipad and at last smiles as she looked at the stars that were shining directly above her.

I knew I smiled.

"Ailee - Reminiscing MV reaction - Ad libbing the hell out of it"

"Ailee - Reminiscing MV reaction - Ad libbing the hell out of it"

by:

The Vole

Through the years , I have been listening to Ailee on and off. Having been introduced to her brand of music by my wife I knew that she had a powerful and beautiful voice that would endure generations of kpop.

Everyone knows that she is the Queen of Kpop and has firmly established herself. I have been doing MV reactions for her songs as well but have liked only a few of them as of late. Insane for example. I have thought that she was losing her touch.

I have been listening to a lot of AOMG and Hoody stuff lately like By Your Side and Your Eyes so imagine my delight when I started hearing the first beats of this song. It sounded a bit stripped down and had the instrumentals ringing clear that laid out the foundation for the song. 

The evident bass driven song with the rhythmic quality that makes you want to clap in time to it was even elevated by the Queen's voice as she speaks about a remembered love while travelling through an almost empty park.

What makes this song particularly beautiful for me are Ailee's wonderful playful ad libs on the song. She scales the notes in such a way that is so pleasant to the ears.

The last scene of the MV where you see her perform in front of a gathered crown who I assume are loyal fans was such a treat to watch. Mostly for these fans who get to enjoy shooting with Ailee herself, Through the end of the MV you realize that you might be clapping your hands or snapping your fingers along with this song. A true masterpiece from Ailee.

"Day6 - How Can I say MV reaction - Rocking on till the feeling is gone."

"Day6 - How Can I say MV reaction - Rocking on till the feeling is gone."

by:

The Vole

The opening riffs of this song reminds you of some alternative band and it assaults your ears like but as it settles you seem start to feel it's effects on you. Like eating something spicy and then realizing that you like it. Day6 is literally a boy band as they play the instruments themselves. 

They continue with emotion stirring lyrics and awesome power ballads like this one. While the MV just features the whole band in some mono colored backgrounds it doesn't take away from the power of the song. I just really wish that JYP could have spent some more money on this group as for me they are the only current band in his care. 

This group is for  lack of a better comparison reminds me of the original version of Rivermaya(A Philippine Band) where they were handpicked and meshed into a band. While this song is a mix of infectious riffs and emotionally hitting lyrics I cannot help but observe that JYP is not pushing more of their brand of music. This is as close to alternative Kpop as one can get.

How can I say is about a person in a relationship who no longer feels the same about the other person but is forced to play along since the other person is still happy. Hence the song opens with a bit of self-loathing since this person cannot say what he really feels and that he feels nothing for the person who looks at him with so much love.

The chorus is really catchy and after awhile you might find yourself singing to it. I wish that Day6 would continue because as of the moment there is nothing like them out there in the Kpop industry.  

Brave Girls - Rollin MV reaction - Truly Brave

Brave Girls - Rollin MV reaction - Truly Brave

by:

The Vole

Last year I heard the rumor that the Brave girls will be coming back but minus 2 members. I lamented the loss of their rapper Hyeran due to health reasons cited by her company , Brave entertainment but I was still curious as how Brave girls would sound and look in their comeback.

While it is a struggle to find identity as a group after so many members have come and gone , the only holdover now from the original Bravegirls is the Main Vocalist Minyoung , these girls are still that , Brave.

For their comeback they have continued as sexy girlfriend types and in the MV have tight fitting long sleeved tops with short skirts on. It seems that they are now banking more and more on the petite and beautiful Yujeung as the MV features more and more of her. It is a very sexy dance track featuring the alluring vocals of Minyoung and the moves of these girls are something else as well.

The line distribution is a lot better and I would not really mind if Minyoung and Yujeung share most of the singing. I do miss Hyeran and her rapping but this song went on with a bridge that was nicely done by Yuna that covered for that fact and this maybe the future of their song structures from now on.

The MV has a lot of sexy images of the girls as well as some effects on the ladies eyes that hint that the Black/Red Moon hanging over them is having some effect on them. I am not sure if they are being sexy vampires or werewolves at this point but the moon is affecting them and well they are affecting me. Hahahaha

The Choreography of this MV features a lot of stool work and by that I mean that they spend around 90% of the dances around or on top of the stool. While many kpop groups have done this in the past I cannot help but be concerned with the way they were grinding sexily on top of the chairs.I imagined that the mounting and dismounting on the chair on the chorus of the song meant that at some point someone will balance themselves and have a hard time going on and off them making the entire dance disjointed. Normal choreography's are already prone to accidents with the addition of tired and sleepy performers. This chair dance is just an accident waiting to happen. 

And as I watched this fancam of their taped appearance on the  Arirang Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chb1dO1V2DY - if you want to watch it yourself.)

At 2:13 of this video Minyoung almost falls off her chair proving how dangerous this dance really was. It's either Brave Entertainment changes this or they would watch this as part of a kpop mistakes compilation pretty soon. Oh and probably lose another girl in the process , if that girl would turn out to be Minyoung or Yujeong you could kiss your promotional time good bye.

All in all I must say that this is a Brave thing that they are doing and despite the loss of the 2 members the Brave girls are still the sexy powerful dancers and singers that I have come to know. Now let's try and not lose more people ok?

"Reddy - Oceanview MV reaction:The Real Ocean waving at you."

"Reddy - Oceanview MV reaction:The Real Ocean waving at you."

by:

The Vole

While I was browsing through my youtube feed I was able to view a list of kpop songs that were labeled for 19 and up last 2015. Hey I don't know why it popped up. I was looking for wholesome kpop songs. I guess youtube thought otherwise.

Anywho...While the list did carry songs that were indeed too mature in content some of them in my opinion did not warrant such a label but I feel that that is for another post. I was able to hear this great song from Reddy called Oceanview. 

I have only heard the rapper Reddy this year and kind of enjoyed 생각해 , translated as Think. It was too much of a slow rap that was not good for the kind of long drives that I take everyday. 

Oceanview however was perfect for such drives but I cannot help but wonder if Reddy was promoting some Korean seaside resort somewhere with this infective song. I can picture going to some beach in somewhere in Batangas and just singing this song. 

Produced by Dizzy Alien , the same one that produced one of my favorites , Sik-K. One cannot help but find similarities in this song with another Sik-K song called Alcohol. Of course that video had way too many stars and twice the number of hotties.

"The view Reddy was referring to"

The MV revolves around a couple who have just stayed in a hotel with an Oceanview with Reddy declaring that admiration and his girl is like the Oceanview that he wants to stare at all day and you realize that he was not referring to the ocean outside the window but the curvy woman that he is with. As deep and mysterious as the ocean. shining like the ocean. Curves like the ocean. Yup. All the Oceanview crooning is about this one girl and who can resist it right? 

There is a shot here in 0:58 of the MV where the girl looks like local celebrity Nadine Lustre! Then again all the similarities end when you see this shot at 1:05 of the MV , a yellow thong back shot that probably netted this MV it's 19+ rating. That and probably the usage of the word bitch later on. I guess the Rose tattoo on the girls back didn't help either. I admired that Oceanview though.

"About the only time you would see her smile"

While this girl is cute and sexy , I cannot help how wooden her acting seems to be. I mean she gives out the sexy vibe but despite all the wondrous view you only see her smile a couple of times or show any other emotion at all which is sad because a little emotion would show that she is there not just for her Oceanview. 

I do love the wide open spaces , the cliffs and the sands on this MV that I can ignore the cute girls wooden acting. 

This song is still on replay on my playlist so it will help ease the long drives.