JAE-HUN (LIM JU-HWAN) AND TAE-YI (KIM JI-WON) IN “WHAT’S UP”/DRAMA FEVER
While many great new K-Dramas exist, sometimes a nostalgia trip is in order to visit dramas forgotten over time.
2011-2012’s musical drama “What’s Up” was the ticket. With melodrama, music and relatable characters, the initial story captivated. Toward the end, abrupt shifts caused one to scream “what’s up!?”
The drama follows several first-year musical students trying to find success. “What’s Up” feels like a Korean version of “Fame” with the individual subplots. Each student has to overcome hardship: Do-Sung (Big Bang’s Daesung) and Doo-Ri (Lim Ju-Eun) search for identities outside family secrets and expectations; Jae-Hun (Lim Ju-Hwan) wants to escape his criminal past; Tae-Yi (Kim Ji-Won) remains haunted by her father’s death; Byung-Gun (Cho Jung-Seok) battles stage fright; and Chae-Young’s (Jang Hee-Jin) star faded long ago.
Each character’s growth made the plot realistic. It was like watching close friends find their identities.
Two storylines shined: Jae-Hun and Tae-Yi’s sadness-marred romance and Doo-Ri and teacher Sunwoo’s
(Oh Man-Seok)
ill-fated, one-sided love. The series’ writers excelled since both stories brought a good share of laughter and tears given Tae-Yi’s sweet awkwardness and Doo-Ri obsessive tendencies.
However, Do-Sung and Chae-Young’s plots felt incomplete. Writers needed to focus more on why Do-Sung had to hide his identity and deny he’s his mother’s son. With Chae-Young, viewers can assume the entertainment industry treated her poorly, but this doesn’t explain her manipulative tendencies.
One questionable inclusion was Cho Jung-Seok’s Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the character’s personality. His inclusion may be good for viewers who can relate to his fears, but the writers could have done more with him than a few great
“TWO STORYLINES SHINED: JAE-HUN AND TAE-YI’S SADNESS-MARRED ROMANCE AND DOO-RI AND TEACHER SUNWOO’S (OH MAN-SEOK)
ILL-FATED,
ONE-SIDED LOVE.”
“WHAT’S UP” HAD MANY MUSICAL TRIUMPHS. EACH SONG HAD MEANING AND MOVED THE PLOT FORWARD, ADDING A FUN ELEMENT”
CHO JUNG-SEOK AS BYUNG-GUN/DRAMA FEVER
telling her parents’ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Ri’s cover of Four Non-Blonde’s “What’s Going On” may seem out of place, but it makes sense in setting up a poignant scene with Sunwoo viewers may not soon forget.
The showstopper, however, was Tae-Yi and Byung-Gun’s cover of Laura Pausini’s “It’s Not Goodbye.” The actors portrayed the emotion in the song, making it undeniably haunting. The song set the bar high for the others in the drama. Sadly, while the other songs were great, they did not reach the epic level of “It’s Not Goodbye.”
“What’s Up” was intended to be a multi-season drama but was dropped after not having a network or a timeslot. This issue caused the series to suffer since there are many loose ends, especially given Chae-Young’s and Do-Sung’s deal and the sparks Tae-Yi and Jae-Hun had despite two massive obstacles in their way. The last two episodes felt like there was a huge “to be continued” sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make “What’s Up” an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. “What’s Up” is a rough diamond, but well worth the time to get involved.
Despite weak points, writers did well with character development and casting.
Lim Ju-Hwan’s Jae-Hun was perfect. His skills made the ex-criminal sympathetic. Equal parts bad boy and sweetheart, Jae-Hun wore his heart on his sleeve when conning and caring about people. Lim Ju-Hwan transitioned to each complex side of Jae-Hun with ease. When paired with Kim Ji-Won’s Tae-Yi, magic happens.
Kim and Lim Ju-Hwan have amazing chemistry. They have the ability to be cute together, yet, the agonizing heartbreak they experience can tear a person apart. It’s easy to root for these two considering how much Jae-Hun and Tae-Yi grew up when they realize one tragic night tied their fates together.
The same can be said about Lim Ju-Eun’s Doo-Ri and Oh Man-Seok’s Sunwoo. Lim Ju-Eun perfects Doo-Ri’s wild-eyed look and emotional neediness in a borderline creepy way. Her need to be loved is evident, but her desperate attempts like camping out at Sunwoo’s place may make viewers cringe.
Oh portrays Sunwoo’s drunken stupor and obstinate but wise nature effortlessly. Combined, Doo-Ri and Sunwoo are oil and water, but this makes their interactions more believable.
One questionable inclusion was Cho Jung-Seok’s Byung-Gun. Byung-Gun served as comic. His scenes felt irritating since his humor came across as forced, but that might be the character’s personality. His inclusion may be good for viewers who can relate to his fears, but the writers could have done more with him than a few great songs and weak story.
“What’s Up” had many musical triumphs. Each song had meaning and moved the plot forward, adding a fun element. Tae-Yi’s “Stupid Cupid,” for example, did a nice job telling her parents’ story to Jae-Hun. Doo-Ri’s cover of Four Non-Blonde’s “What’s Going On” may seem out of place, but it makes sense in setting up a poignant scene with Sunwoo viewers may not soon forget.
The showstopper, however, was Tae-Yi and Byung-Gun’s cover of Laura Pausini’s “It’s Not Goodbye.” The actors portrayed the emotion in the song, making it undeniably haunting. The song set the bar high for the others in the drama. Sadly, while the other songs were great, they did not reach the epic level of “It’s Not Goodbye.”
“What’s Up” was intended to be a multi-season drama but was dropped after not having a network or a timeslot. This issue caused the series to suffer since there are many loose ends, especially given Chae-Young’s and Do-Sung’s deal and the sparks Tae-Yi and Jae-Hun had despite two massive obstacles in their way. The last two episodes felt like there was a huge “to be continued” sign looming overhead. But, it seems the audience will never know what could have been.
Overall, strong acting, great songs and good writing make “What’s Up” an unforgettable drama. However, it would be nice to have some closure for the stories that began the final two episodes. “What’s Up” is a rough diamond, but well worth the time to get involved.
“WHAT’S UP.” IS A ROUGH DIAMOND, BUT WELL WORTH THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED”
K-Pop Rookies January-June 2014: The Best and Most Notorious Debuts
Joelle Halon
The first half of 2014 started out with a bang with major releases from EXO, Infinite, Girls’ Generation, and 2ne1. Often lost in the shuffle are the potential next generation K-Pop stars. 2014 hasn’t had a shortage of rookies—43 officially debuted so far—generating a lot of buzz of who could be “the” next big group.
Some groups appear to have what it takes, others not so much. Here is a ranking of some of the artists who have potential and some who need a little more work.
The Best
Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: “Melted,” “200%,” “Give Love”
Dubbed “super rookies” by many K-Pop websites, Akdong Musician have maturity past their ages. At aThe Best
Akdong Musician| Debut: April| Songs: “Melted,” “200%,” “Give Love”
Dubbed “super rookies” by many K-Pop websites, Akdong Musician have maturity past their ages. At ages 18 and 14 (Korean ages), siblings Lee Chan-Hyuk and Lee Soo-Hyun have a special something that helped them dominate the charts.
Their emotion-packed ballad “Melted” showed a remarkable deepness and ability to understand humanity through simple lyrics and haunting vocals. “200%” and “Give Love” showed their youth and abilities to have fun. Expect the duo to pick up many awards at the end of the year.
Mamamoo| Debut: January| Song: “Don’t Be Happy”
“Power” is the buzzword associated with Mamamoo because they have it all. The girls provide something fresh to the K-Pop world with their jazzy voices and throwback style.
Since their debut, Mamamoo has already gained an international following despite minimal promotions on music shows. Of course, following up their debut single with “Peppermint Chocolate” with K.Will and Wheesung didn’t hurt their potential surge.
Kiss&Cry| Debut: January| Song: “Domino Game”
Kiss&Cry thrilled with robust vocals and stage presence. They came bursting out of the gates with vocals unmatched by many other rookies, and with Dia releasing single recordings, Kiss&Cry is doing what they can to remain ever-present. “Domino Game” caught the attention of many listeners, and the fun dance made the video enjoyable. Weakness is not in Kiss&Cry’s vocabulary, which is why they have the ability to stand tall in the K-Pop world.
Lee Michelle| Debut: March| Song: “Without You”
Lee Michelle has enough depth to her soul, she could challenge the deepest ocean. “Without You” was an explosive debut, and one that definitely deserves more love and attention. Her deep vocals and ability to tell a story make Lee stand out. The one downfall was minimal promotion. If she was promoted more, “Without You” would have earned the attention it deserved.
Solid Starts
GOT7| Debut: January| Song: “Girls, Girls, Girls”
GOT7 already earned a large fanbase, and it’s easy to see why. Good-looking and charismatic, the boys definitely charmed their way into many a female heart. They dance well and have the talent, so it’s unfortunate their debut song didn’t show their vocal talents. The song was a bit bland, but their mini album had many other songs that suggest the boys have what it takes.
Lip Service| Debut: March| Song: “Yum, Yum, Yum”
Bipa and Kora are going to be a fun group to watch. They’re spunky with a wicked sense of humor. What’s not to like? While they appeared on a few of the music shows, some more appearances will really help the girls because they are quirky and enjoyable. Plus, “Yum, Yum, Yum” endeared itself to K-Pop fans with food-themed lyrics. It will be interesting to see what lies beneath this potential winner of a duo.
BTL| Debut: May| Song: “Too G”
Beyond the Limit (BTL, not to be confused with Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce) have amazing visuals and a nice track in “Too G” due to its addictive chorus. They’ve already impressed on their Music Core and Inkigayo debuts, so they will earn fans, and video teasers promised a nice treat for fans looking for beefcake.
While they have some positives, they risk falling into the generic boyband category if they lose steam with their concept. Some fans see some similarities between BTL and EXO during their “Mama” days, so they may have to work harder to prove themselves.
Scarlet| Debut: February| Song: “Do Better”
Scarlet debuted with little hype, and it took a while to find out what the girls’ names are, but despite this, they show a lot of promise. “Do Better” was a solid song that quickly developed a niche group of fans. The song’s MV was riddled with awkward English (what’s a “boggy slushie”?) and cheesy graphics, and the dance left a lot to be desired. There’s still room for Scarlet to “do better.”
Weakest Links
Aila| Debut: January| Song: “Pretty Pretty Pretty Girl”
Aila’s debut stage was painful to watch on Music Core before they disappeared somewhere. The girls, Ra-Hee, Shi-Yeon, Yena, and Kelly, looked too old to be flouncing around in cute Lolita dresses, and their vocals were all over the place. It was difficult to take them seriously. It was hard to not feel bad for them as there was little crowd reaction as the “thumbs down” mounted on YouTube.
Hopefully their company, Plane Entertainment, thinks of a new concept or else these girls do not have a chance at survival.
M.O.A| Debut: February| Song: “I’ll Call Ya”
The M.O.A girls unfortunately, have little chance to make waves. KBS banned their first attempt at the “I’ll Call Ya” MV due to poor quality; the second attempt wasn’t much better. Professional Entertainment is not very professional.
The girls have pitchy vocals. Their song, while catchy at some parts, lacked finesse and could easily annoy listeners with the high-pitched, jilted chorus.
If the company can get their act together, get the girls a better choreographer, vocal coach, and perhaps a budget for a real video, they may have a chance.
JJCC| Debut: March| Song: “At First”
JJCC should have been more impressive considering they are Jackie Chan’s group. Instead of a charismatic, action-packed debut, the boys performed a mediocre song that was barely memorable. However, they are handsome men, and Jackie Chan is behind them, so one weak start will not wipe them off the map. They may do just fine in upcoming promotions.
EXO-K’s Overdose has Highs, Lows
Joelle Halon

In May, EXO released their long-awaited second mini-album Overdose following a delay to mourn the lives lost during the Sewol Ferry tragedy.
Even though it only has five songs, it is sure to please any EXOtic.
EXO-K’s album lit the music charts on fire even before its release, ranking high on many music charts and winning many of the music shows once it officially came out. But, did EXO-K live up to all the hype with Overdose, or is the group losing steam?
Track Reviews
“Overdose”
“Overdose” has an exciting, heart-pounding beat that makes it worthy of being the title track.
“Overdose” isn’t shy. For dance-track lovers, the song has dubstep layers with an addictive chorus. It has a strong electronic sound, adding to the fun.
While the chorus is outstanding, the rap portions feel weak. Part of EXO’s appeal when they released “Mama” was the bombastic, electrifying rap. EXO stood out then because of the hardcore influences, but with “Overdose,” the rap didn’t stand out from what other K-groups are doing.
Of course, “Overdose” wouldn’t have worked with a metal-type rebel yell, but it felt like something was missing in the rap portions. A little more power could have made an already great song become amazing.
“Moonlight”
SM songs usually have weak lyrics, but “Moonlight” breaks the mold and stands out as a lyrically-impressive piece.
Based on the title alone, “Moonlight” sounds like it would be a continuation of the wolf theme carried out in “Wolf” and “Growl.” It isn’t, but it is a heartbreaking tale of the one-who-got-away: “A place where I can’t touch you and can’t even hold you.”
Given the lyric’s beauty, the song failed to impress once put to music. It’s a ballad as come to be expected given the tone of the lyrics, but it’s nothing special. “Moonlight” comes across as a forgettable, throwaway tune. It has a nice R&B beat, and the echoes provide a haunting touch, but the music makes the song unmemorable.
“Thunder”
Like “Moonlight,” “Thunder” has a strong lyrical presence. However, the two songs are almost too similar in content to the point the lyrics feel almost interchangeable. But, “Thunder” takes the theme from both songs a little further by covering finding lost love.
“Thunder” has a significantly better sound; the mid-tempo beat saves the song. EXO also exhibits great falsettos, and the “ooh, ooh, ooh” portions just sound amazing when heard through headphones. EXO-K’s voices blend well with the “boom” and “thunder” repeats, and the last verse has a solid bass, adding a nice feel to the song.
“Run”
If “Overdose” wasn’t the title track, “Run” definitely should be! This song is just addictive fun. It’s an awesome dance track with a bit of a ‘90s feel mixed with some Spaghetti Western soundtrack nuances. Hopefully, EXO-K chooses to release this one prior to the summer months because it has the potential to earn plenty of air time as a great summer tune.
The lyrics aren’t as spectacular as “Thunder” and “Moonlight,” but it doesn’t matter because the beat and sing-along-factor win for this song. The lyrics reflect a summer fling and recalling those memories. Besides being fun, it’s a simple, cute song.
At times, the music does drown out EXO’s voices, especially at the bridge. If the music was toned down just a tad, the overall song would have been perfect. However, this minor issue is easy to overlook.
“Love, Love, Love”
After a few listens, the title looked like EXO was begging fans to “love, love, love” this track. It didn’t work since this is the weak-link on the album and a hot mess. It felt like two songs spliced together with the tempo shift that came with “‘Cause, you’re my earth, air, water, fire (You’re my) earth, air, water, fire” line. This just didn’t fit with the song as a whole.
Another element that didn’t work was how the chorus’ beat and EXO’s singing reflected the old children’s song “Nana, Nana, Fufu.” This made the song feel more annoying than enjoyable because of how childish it sounds. Few artists can pull off these elements, but they are usually female and walking the fine aegyo-line, much like Fiestar did with “I Don’t Know” with the “Ten Little Indians” beat. Male groups cannot pull this off as well.
One of the better elements of “Love, Love, Love” is how the music featured traditional Asian instruments. This was awesome considering how the elements of nature played a part in the actual song. In a way, the song recalls EXO’s “Mama” and “History” days when each member reflected a different element of nature. This was a coy nod to their past, making the song slightly better than what it is.
Overall

Of course, it still sold thousands and it is dominating the charts, so fans are thrilled and that’s what matters. Overall, it was just not as exciting as expected.
Joelle Halon
[dropcap size=big]K[/dropcap]-Pop’s diversity knows no bounds, which is why it’s such a great genre of which to be involved. While many focus on the mainstream music, there is a K-Music world many tend to ignore.
The K-Indie scene is rich with strong vocals, meaningful songs, and artists that deserve recognition. Some K-Indie artists like Nell and Park Ji Yoon managed to transition to mainstream well, and other artists have potential to do so too!
If you’re new to the K-Indie scene, here are five artists you should know to start you on your K-Indie journey!
Neon Bunny

Neon Bunny’s soft voice adds a retro touch to her electronic sound in songs like “Plastic Heart” and “Bubbles” from her 80s-inspired album Happy Endings, which serves a great introduction to her music.
Besides her retro-electronic sound, Neon Bunny isn’t afraid of edgy lyrics. “Oh My Prince” features some swearing which many mainstream artists tend to shy away from, but this is part of her appeal.
Standing Egg
Acoustic group Standing Egg is one of the quintessential K-Indie artists. Since 2010, the trio and sometimes quartet has had a rotating roster of Indie artists playing for them including Clover (Vocals, guitar), Han Kyul (Double bass), and Hana (Djembe). Sound-wise, they are a Jack-of-all-trades group, often experimenting with jazz, Bossa nova, folk, R&B, punk, and reggae!
Standing Egg’s music is rich in beauty and simplicity. Listeners may find they’re influenced by John Mayer and Maroon 5 among other artists in their sound. Their newest song, “?? ?” has a John Mayer-type groove, so even Western-music lovers may fall in love.
Since 2004, Humming Urban Stereo has proven why they have mainstream appeal. The electro-pop group released thirteen full and mini albums total, making them one of the most productive Indie groups!
Once a trio, “humming girl” Lee Jin-Hwa passed away in Japan in recent years; she had heart disease. Even in her absence, Humming Urban Stereo remains strong.
While classified as electro-pop, Humming Urban Stereo also experiments in Acid Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Some of their most-loved songs include “Hawaiian Couple,” “You That Day,” and “Give Me Your Tonight.” In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, “Scully Doesn’t Know,” closing the gap between Indie and mainstream K-Pop.

Kim and Jang’s voices blend beautifully, which gives them their strong soothing quality. While they haven’t released many songs, they do have several memorable jams under their belts including the coffee-shop ballad “Frappuccino” that is worthy of play on a lazy Sunday morning.

Rock band Blue Near Mother has been making a lot of noise lately, and for good reason! With songs like “Change” and “I Believe” earning radio play on Arirang Radio, they are gaining the right attention at the right time.
Blue Near Mother has a lot of heart and soul. Their lyrics contain positive messages about bettering one’s self. In today’s world, a little positivity can go a long way.
The group’s vocals are rich and lack the hard edge many K-Indie rock groups like Toxic have. If they were more mainstream, they would compete with groups like FTIsland and CNBLUE since they have more of an all-ages appeal.
K-Indie has something for everyone. If you need a break from today’s K-Pop, hit the Indie scene to see what you find. With many genres covered, it won’t be hard to find something appealing!
Humming Urban Stereo
Since 2004, Humming Urban Stereo has proven why they have mainstream appeal. The electro-pop group released thirteen full and mini albums total, making them one of the most productive Indie groups!
Once a trio, “humming girl” Lee Jin-Hwa passed away in Japan in recent years; she had heart disease. Even in her absence, Humming Urban Stereo remains strong.
While classified as electro-pop, Humming Urban Stereo also experiments in Acid Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Some of their most-loved songs include “Hawaiian Couple,” “You That Day,” and “Give Me Your Tonight.” In May 2014, they released a song with G.NA, “Scully Doesn’t Know,” closing the gap between Indie and mainstream K-Pop.
Korean women are known for their fresh, glowing, youthful skin. Looking at actresses in many K-Dramas like “You Who Came from the Stars,” women often look like they barely wear makeup due to their luminous skin. According to Linda Moerch, author of “The Price of Beauty in South Korea,” the better one’s complexion is, the more highly thought of that person is in society since clean, clear skin is a symbol of purity.
Seoul and other big cities in Asia like Shanghai and Beijing have issues with pollution, too. A strict moisturizing routine helps protect skin from the harsh elements, prolonging one’s youthfulness.
Watching actresses on screen is enough to give anyone skin envy, but how do they achieve such flawless skin?
The “Inside” Scoop
Koreans work hard to maintain 물광피부 (mul kwangpi bu) or “radiant, dewy skin.” The saying “beauty is skin deep” is true as the moisturizing process begins. Since skin reflects one’s health, drinking plenty of water helps with skin elasticity and dryness, providing a youthful appearance. A good diet prevents skin from aging quickly, creating a gorgeous glow. Many feel these steps even slow the aging process.
Taking the time to consider a healthy diet and the multi-step process of moisturizing is beneficial. That’s why so many Korean women look so young regardless of age.
Cleanliness Before Moisture
Cleansing and exfoliating is a valuable part of a healthy skin regime. Not cleansing enough clogs pores, impeding the moisturizer’s ability to soak into skin. Exfoliation unclogs pores, but doing this too much may damage skin, causing red scaly patches. Exfoliating every two days may be ideal.
When cleansing, celebrities like singer/actress Suzy Bae swears by 4-2-4.
Four-two-four involves using cleansing oil for four minutes. The oil breaks down makeup while replenishing skin. Next comes a foam cleanser for two minutes to clear pores. Finally, rinsing with cool water for four minutes removes impurities while closing pores. Cool water also increases blood circulation, creating rosy cheeks and reduces puffiness. Besides cool water, some celebrities even rinse with cold lemon water to tone and tighten skin while the lemon dissolves toxins.
While following this method seems cumbersome, on “Get It Beauty,” Bae and her makeup artist, Hong Sung Hee, swears it helps makeup glide on better for a more natural appearance.
Moisturizing: A Multi-Step Process
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams like wrinkle reducers last since they are the heaviest. Layering lightest to heaviest helps skin absorb moisturizer better.
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.
Anyone Can Do It
While moisturizing methods seem difficult, there is a reason why Korea is revered as one of the world’s skin care leaders. Anyone can follow this method regardless of how many products they have in their makeup cabinets. Just remember good cleansing skills, exfoliation, and layering moisturizers, and anyone can have the healthy skin of the stars!
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams
Child actress and “Music Core” host Kim Sohyun uses Teenage Nature (tn) moisture cocktail cream. She demonstrated how she uses it in a 2013 episode of “Get It Beauty.” The moisture cocktail cream is available through ibuybeauti.com for under $25.
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