Kim Hyun Joong's "Unbreakable"

I remember seeing this guy on Boys Before Flowers years ago. He was in the early years, performing with SS501. They were the 2nd generation eye candy K-Pop group. They had the looks, they had the moves, they had the catchy songs and voices to hook in the crowds.

After they disbanded a couple of years ago, Double S fans were disappointed. And there are still some that hope that they will get together again to make a comeback as one. For now, they are on their separate schedules.

Kim Kyu Jong is currently in his second year of service in the military. Members Heo Young Saeng, Park Jung Min and Kim Hyung Joon are busy with their own comebacks and performance schedules.

And then there is their strong and lovable leader, Kim Hyun Joong. Since joining Key East Entertainment, he's been pretty busy with performances, releasing singles and working on albums in Japan as well as Korea.

His newest single, "Unbreakable" is a hard edged, heavy on the R&B song. Not quite sure how the concepts of taiko drummers and rhythmic gymnastic/riibbon dancers fit into the concepts, but the driving beat certainly adds to the song. Featuring Jay Park, who raps intermittently throughout the song, the combination of music, strong choreography and Hyun Joong's lean and sexy charisma just takes it over the top.

Check it out:

(I do not own this video. Credit where properly due.)

Total Respect for Production Crews

In my line of work, I've been privy to behind the scenes looks of documentaries and commercials.

Today was an especially grueling day on set. Working with multiple talent (actors and actresses), many combinations of wardrobe and props under intense summer heat, I have found a greater respect for production crews.

Stylists, prop artists and production assistants constantly rush back and forth the whole day getting a prop for an actor, fixing hair, wardrobe and make-up, making sure outsiders (everyday people) are kept off the set and quiet and basically making sure everything is moving along smoothly. It is rough! On top of that, the director, sound and lighting crews make sure everything is sticking to script and lighting is ok. It's especially rough when you shoot outdoors, like we were today. We were constantly having to wait for the sun to come out behind clouds. Sometimes we would have a couple of minutes and sometimes it was only a few seconds to get precious takes. It is a heck of a lot of waiting!

Craft service crew members (the ones that provide the food, the good part of being on set) fill and refill snacks and food, making sure no one goes hungry or thirsty. Staying hydrated today was a problem since it was so hot.

There is so much work that goes into putting together a piece that goes on TV. And I didn't really understand why people would lose sleep or weight. Now, I get it. Perhaps I didn't stay for long enough on sets before, or perhaps it just didn't click when I read actors lose sleep and weight during weeks of shooting. (Google pics of different actors like Jang Geun Suk, Kim Hyun Joong, and Lee Min Ho pre, during and post production on their dramas. You'll see what I mean) With call times in the early morning and wrap up times late at night, it's no wonder!

It's so cool and glamorous on the outside. A friend of mine on Facebook thought it was so cool that I work on sets. And yeah, it is. You meet people and you get a first look at everything. But it is tiring work. I wouldn't recommend it for just anyone.

I definitely have total respect for production crews on TV shows and movies. Especially the ones on Korean dramas. I hear they run their crews ragged to get the perfect takes on shoot constantly, day after long day. Whew!

Tomorrow, I pull double duty. I'll be part of the production crew and I'll also be acting again. We'll see how it goes. Hope I wake up on time, it's another early morning call and a full shoot day.

Blog about it later! Happy weekend! Hwaiting!

Asian Stars Bulking Up!

I've been noticing trends with the Asian male stars, and mostly Korean since that's what I've been watching a lot. There seems to be a trend favoring bodies that are leaner and sexier.

Where lean and skinny was once considered handsome or pretty, muscular and "cut" (showing muscular definition) seems to now have taken over.

Take for instance one time SS501 leader Kim Hyun Joong. While he was filming the popular K-Drama "Boys Before Flowers" he was lean, a little on the skeletal side and handsomely beautiful. Cut to a few years later and he's seen without shirts showing off his ripped (aka chocolate) abs and defined pecs and biceps.

Another example is CNBlue hottie Jung Yong Hwa. He was Park Shin Hye's affectionate, yet sometimes awkward suitor in the popular drama "You're Beautiful". While filming, he was lean, with slight definition to his arms and chest. Earlier this year, after wrapping up promotions for CNBlue's latest album, "Ear Fun", he tweeted that he would be hitting the gym to bulk himself up. In a recent video posted on AllKPop, he shows off his back in a wife beater (that's a men's tank top in case you haven't hear the term before. It doesn't actually mean that you beat your wife). His back muscles and arms clearly defined as he flexed for the camera.

Lastly is FT Island member's Lee Hong Ki and Choi Jong Hoon. While at a concert, in front of hundreds of their fans, they promise they are going to show them better bodies at a future concert. Jong Hoon and Hong Ki hit the gym and while they were in Thailand, Hong Ki pulls up Jong Hoon's shirt displaying his abs to all their adoring fans. Sadly, I don't think Hong Ki was able to show his set off yet. (sorry ladies!)

My point is, what is the point?? In just my humble opinion these guys looked great before they started to work out. I know they love their fans and it's their job to look good, but honestly, sometimes stars/idols can go overboard. Why do these stars feel like they need to bulk up in order to look more handsome? Weren't they handsome enough before? What? Their  handsome faces, voices or acting weren't enough? And why are we, the fans, encouraging them to change? I hope it's for their own self worth and health. I think that would be ok. But anything other than that, is so unnecessary in my opinion.

These stars shouldn't tamper with what God gave them. They should be grateful they're already handsome. I wish these stars would remember that some fans love them just the way they are.

Want to see an example? Go to part 2 of this post. Tell me, do you think as handsome as these stars are, they need to be bulking up?

By the way, can anyone who reads my post tell me if they can read any of my current posts? I usually post daily, and I think there may be something wrong with my site. Please help me?