K-Pop

Psy Gets 'Freaked Out' About His Fame. Here's Five Other Things We Learned About The 'Gangnam Style' Star In His Reddit AMA

By Michelle Woo Thu., Oct. 25 2012 at 7:45 AM
Categories: K-Pop
psy_ass.jpg
Psy explained why he's so mad at that girl's ass. 
You've seen the video (over and over and--my God, is this still a thing?--over). And all its parodies, too. ("Hitler Style," anyone?) But yesterday, for the first time, fans got a chance to actually converse with "Gangnam Style" superstar Psy (well, virtually) in his "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. AMAs are a huge thing these days--President Obama recently had one of his own. No offense to POTUS, but Psy's session was way more entertaining. And it makes us all the more eager to catch the South Korean sensation when he busts a move into Honda Center for a recently announced headlining gig(!) on Jan. 26. Though it seems as though this sharp-dressed man can't be stopped, his recent interview Reddit interview reveals a secret side of Psy that may surprise you.

Here are some things we learned about the South Korean sensation.   

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AMA, interview, lists, Psy, Reddit
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K-Pop

KCON - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - October 13, 2012

By Michelle Woo Mon., Oct. 15 2012 at 4:35 PM
Categories: K-Pop
kcon-gna.jpg
MNET America

From the parking lot, you could hear the screams. 

Inside the festival area of Verizon Amphitheater, giddy fans crowded in a massive white tent. A sea of hands holding cameras and cell phones shot up into the air. "Oh, my Gooooood!" girls squealed, holding their hands over their faces. Some jumped up and down to get a better view.      

Tumbling out of the chaos was Tami Lee, a 15-year-old from Northridge, who had just gotten a glimpse of her idol, Bang Yong Guk from the K-pop band B.A.P. 
 
"It was like heaven!" she said, trying to catch her breath. "I didn't die, so I'm happy." 

Lee was dressed in a Tigger onesie, which she bought for $200 on eBay specifically for this event. Tigger is said to be Bang's favorite character, and she wanted to impress him. 

"Honestly, I don't think he's that good-looking," she said of the Korean star. "I just love his personality. His songs are all about not giving up and getting a second chance. Being in high school, I can relate."    


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Irvine, KCON, PSY, review, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
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K-Pop

10 Old-School K-Pop Bands To Make You Remember Why You Fell In Love With K-Pop

By Michelle Woo Wed., Oct. 10 2012 at 12:41 PM
Categories: K-Pop, Know Your History, Yo, lists
hot-kpop-old-school.jpeg

Before there was SNSD, 2NE1, Big Bang, Super Junior and Wonder Girls, there was S.E.S., g.o.d., H.O.T., Fin.K.L. and 1TYM. Familiar with these names? You must be an O.G. K-pop fan.

Today, the manufactured genre has flooded the global consciousness (perhaps you've heard of a little video called "Gangnam Style?"), but the roots were planted more than 15 years back, when the first crop of fresh-faced boy and girl bands stepped onto the stage in Seoul and captured the hearts (and charged up the hormones) of a teenage generation. The was no autotune, no off-the-wall costumes and dizzying special effects--just catchy tunes, fun dance moves and surprising talent.

 This Saturday, K-pop super-convention KCON comes to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Before you get a glimpse of how far K-Pop has come, take a look back at where it started by remembering these 10 old-school bands.

See Also:
*Here is What a Stereotypical K-Pop Fan Looks Like
*Why the Hell is Psy So Popular?
*5 K-Pop Songs To Prepare For The S.M. Town Live World Tour III  


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K-Pop, lists, videos
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this weekend

Here's What a Stereotypical K-Pop Fan Looks Like

By Michelle Woo Tue., Oct. 9 2012 at 8:40 AM
Categories: K-Pop, this weekend
ocw_kpop_credit_marla_campbell-001.jpg
Marla Campbell
This Saturday, thousands of K-pop fanatics will descend upon Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine for KCON, a super-charged convention celebrating all things hallyu. K-pop--that's Korean pop for the uninitiated--is moving at a speed faster than Psy's pelvic thrusts, and the first-ever U.S. event will let devotees get some glorious face time with their favorite artists. There'll be shows (4Minute! VIXX! B.A.P.! Exo-M! Nu'est!), industry-led workshops, idol worship autograph sessions and--yes--a whirlwind of crazy, eye-popping K-pop fashion.  

David Yi, host of a new K-pop fashion web series on MNET called The Stitch, says K-pop style has become a symbol of empowerment for both the artists and their fans. "It's no longer about the cookie-cutter, girls-next-door, Girls' Generation-esque look," he says. "Groups like 2NE1 have a more fierce, colorful, unabashed style. They're choosing bold patterns and high-fashion touches. Now, you can be as wacky and wild as you want to be." 

See Also:

Audiences are reflecting the shift as well. Yi says Seoul's student-populated Hongdae area is "reminiscent of a new Harajuku," with guys and girls sporting candy-colored hair, futuristic sneakers and neon accessories inspired by their favorite band. Check out the "Gangnam Style" parody video "Hongdae Style." (Need those light-up sunglasses.)     

What can we expect to see at KCON this weekend? Yi, along with artist Marla Campbell, helped us create this handy guide to spotting the ultimate K-pop fanguy and fangirl. See the full artwork and diagram after the jump!


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diagram, fashion, K-Pop
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