Classifications of K-Pop Boy Groups in 2014

I saw this image posted on Instiz site, a popular and influential online community in Korea that discusses happenings in the Korean entertainment world. According to the posted image, it's a ranking or level of different K-Pop boy groups for this year, 2014.  I don't know what was the basis for the ranking or the classification but I'll try to explain it based on my understanding of the Korean language and how Koreans explained it to me. Based on the classifications, it only "measured" the groups' popularity in Korea.

 Out of this world (넘사벽): Shinhwa, GOD, TVXQ, JYJ

These groups are considered to be undefeated, incomparable and were able to stood the test of time. No matter what activities they do it will "always" be successful. Other possible translations for the word could be "the best" "second to none."

Nationwide (전국구): Bigbang, Infinite, B2ST, Shinee

This means that anyone in Korea knows something about the group or that these groups exist. Some Koreans, especially those who are not into K-Pop, may not particularly know the names of each member but they would definitely know that these groups are existing in the idol world. So their scope is "nationwide." Many of the comments under this post says Bigbang should be part of "out of this world" level.

Mania Level (마니아층): EXO, B1A4, BAP, Block B, CNBlue

The word mania is commonly used in Korea. It usually means, person who's very passionate in doing one and only thing. So this could mean that the groups in this classification have very strong fan bases or fandom. They are extremely popular but not everyone knows about them yet. Many commented that EXO should be part of "nationwide" category. 

Popularity is in Maginot Line (인기 마지노선): 2PM, Super Junior

This means that the popularity of these groups has gone or going downhill. Many of you may know that Maginot Line was the failed line of defensive fortifications constructed by France before WWII to protect its eastern border. It failed big time as Germany was able to easily invade, outflanking the said line. The term is being used as a reference to something you expected to be effective but turns out to be a failure. 

2%: ZE:A, U-Kiss, MBLAQ

This is saying that only 2% of the Korean population knows they exist. Literally or not, it means that these groups are only known to only few people in Korea.

Rising Star (떠오르는별): VIXX, GOT7, Winner

I think the name of the classification itself is already self-explanatory. Many of the comments on the post says BTS should be included in this category.

Knowing that there are already a gazillion of K-Pop groups in the market, many groups were not even given a chance to be classified. If you were to add groups in each category, which groups would it be? Do you agree with the classifications or labels ? Do you think your favorite groups got "classified" properly? Please write your comments below.

11 K-Pop Male Idols Who Almost Debuted in Another Group

Behind the colorful and exciting glow of K-Pop, the road to stardom for many of your favorite idols has never been easy.  Although, I think these challenges, made them earn respect from fans all over the world and also seemed to have led them to their fated group. Here are some of the male idols I know who were supposed to be part of another team other than their current groups.

 B2ST Hyunseung - Bigbang 

 Block B Jaehyo - B2ST

 B2ST Doojoon - 2AM

Doojoon was part of Mnet's reality show called Hot Blooded Men (Ep.1). The program was like a documentary- reality search kind of show for the debut of JYP Entertainment's male idol groups 2AM and 2PM.

 N-Sonic Minki - B1A4

Fans said he was a WM Entertainment trainee and was supposed to debut as B1A4's leader. 

 Block B B-Bomb - Infinite

 A-Prince Woobin - BAP

If you check girl group Secret's music video for Starlight Moonlight (Link), Woobin is actually one of the boys in the background together with other BAP members. He also joined other BAP members as back up dancers during the promotion of the said song (Link).

 BAP Himchan - CNBlue

 C-Clown TK - BtoB

Before he became TK he was Lee Min Woo. He was set to debut as part of Cube Entertainment's new boy group, BtoB. He was one of the casts of JTBC's I Live in Cheongdamdong (Ep.11 BtoB cut) together with 4 current BtoB members Eungkwang, Minhyuk, Ilhoon and Hyunsik.

 BAP Youngjae - GOT7

Winner Minho -  Block B

Minho did not just train together with Block B members before, he actually already debuted as a member of the vocal group BOM before, together with 2 current BTL members Jisu and YuA. Even before he is already know for his impressive rapping skills. 

Top Dogg Nakta - VIXX

Nakta took part of the search of members for Jellyfish Entertainment's very first idol group later on called VIXX. The search was broadcasted as reality show on Mnet called Mydol. He was using his real name Yoonchul at that time. (Mydol Ep.1)

Do you think they are in the "right" groups already? Can you imagine them to part of other groups? I'm sure there are still many of them out there. If you know some please comment below. The K-Pop idols' community is relatively really small. Almost all idols know each other because they were co-trainees at the same company/ies before. Although they have to part ways to chase their dreams. 

Were there idol groups 600 years ago?

ibuzzkorea and Korea Tourism Organization(KTO) just came out with this "documentary" stating that there were already idol groups 600 years ago.  It says the names of the group even resemble to that of 2PM and missA! Oh by the way, 2PM and miss A are the official ambassadors of KTO too. LOL

What do you think? ^^ Here's the video ^^

You can visit ibuzzkorea too and leave your comments. It appears to be another exciting event prepared for K-Pop fans out there ^^ so make sure you visit, leave comments and enjoy! ^^

Conversations with miss A and 2PM

You've already probably seen many pictures of miss A and 2PM during the production presentation of an interactive movie Annyeong (안녕). I just wanna share mine too, what happened during the presentation and my personal chitchats with them.

So during the event they told us about their experiences while making the movie. Despite their very busy schedule they were still able to make some time for the movie. I focused my attention to Suzy ^^ because she's my girlfriend ehem haha. She said doing the interactive movie Annyeong (안녕) gave them some time to unwind and relax instead of working so doing it ended up to be fun and worth it.
They also told us about their roles in the movie, which I will write in my next entry.

 So for my chitchats with them I was really starstrucked when Suzy was right in front of me. She's like an angel ^^ hehe. I told her that I've seen all her dramas. Since I was very nervous I stuttered with my Korean but she still tried to listen and asked me if she didn't get it. She's just very kind and cute ^^ Same goes to Jia and Min. Fei didn't talk to me though but I still like her. hehe.

 For 2PM, I also did talk to them. Topics were, for Wooyoung about his Pusan accent and for Junho how he really looks like Rain haha. For Taec I just said I saw him hosting at the Hallyu Dream Festival (which was the day before). Junsu and Chansung didn't talk to me but they just kept on looking at me. Maybe they were wondering why a man wanted to get a sign from them. hahaha.

During the program they gave some prizes to the fans. Prizes were the clothes worn by Chansung, Suzy and Taec in the movie. Unfortunately, I didn't win. As you can see in the pictures, two guys from Singapore got it. When the guy, who received Suzy's dress, was asked what's he gonna do with the dress, he said he'll give it to his girlfriend. And the funny thing was, he was asked if there's something he wanted to ask to Suzy. He immediately said NOTHING, which cracked up everyone in the hall.

2PM and miss A were also announced as honorary ambassadors of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

Another amazing discovery was that the chairman of KTO is a German-born naturalized Korean citizen. He's extremely fluent in Korean. His pronunciation and all are just like that of a Korean.

I personally extend my gratitude to buzz KOREA (http://www.ibuzzkorea.com/eng/)

who organized the said event.

Interactive Movie Annyeong with 2PM and miss A (The Making)

I was very privileged to be able to see and mingle with 2PM and miss A yesterday during the production presentation of the interactive movie project called 안녕 (Annyeong).

This is the making of the said movie. It features 2PM (Taekyeon, Junsu, Chansung, Junho, Wooyoung) and miss A (Suzi, Jia, Min, Fei) as Korea's tourism ambassadors. In this movie, you are the main character spending 3 days in Korea with 2PM and miss A. Interactive Movie '안녕[Annyeong]' will be released soon in Korea via buzz KOREA website. www.ibuzzkorea.com