So how it works is that you put your name on a signup sheet that officially begins at 8:00 a.m. They only have 70-80 tickets/slots. So in other words, you got to be there hours before the signup; many hours before if someone huge is performing (anyone from SM Entertainment means you should be camping for many hours). You know girls are protective over superstars and what not. Also, it's because the studio is quite small. It looks huge on television but it's very small. Once you get your name on the signup sheet, they will tell you to come back at 5:00 p.m. where they will check to see if you showed up and then let you into the studio for the live recording. The show broadcasts at 7:00 p.m. That's just if you're signing up and have not declared yourself as part of the official fan club of the artists (which is what we did/had to do). At most of these, you need to be a part of a fan club. Dude, they have a system; it's legit. No bluffing can get past them. It's almost ridiculous. If you're part of the fan club, then there's different things that you have to do. But being a part of the fan club has benefits, you'll most likely get to see the live recording in the evening or if the group/artist will not be at the live recording, then you get to see the pre-recording where they will perform. Going to the pre-recording seems more fun because more of the popular ones will be there but it's the crowds and most of the fan clubs will be there so you have a lesser chance of getting in if you're not a part of the fan club. Haha I think what I said made sense.
First, we woke up at 5:30 a.m. and got to the Digital Media City at 6:00 a.m. by taxi. We were tired and didn't bother getting ready. I looked like I had been camping out with the homeless people under a bridge. I haven't done this type of stuff for a long time; last time it was the midnight premieres for Harry Potter. When we got there, there was about 44 people already there. They had an unofficial sign up sheet going around, that we signed, to make the official signup process go smoother and so people are killing each other to get their name on the signup sheet. While we were waiting in line, a reality show called Dream Project was being filmed. It's one of those shows where they try to find the next idol/superstar. We saw a few of the contestants and some of them were TA-LEN-TED! This one guy with bright blonde hair was so sick at dancing! We used my stalker camera (lol) to see what he looked like because he was far away from us.
Finally, 8:00 arived and we put our names on the list. I was the 45th person so we were guaranteed a spot! We then had to head back home and quickly get ready because we would be going on more fieldtrips today.
Riding in the taxi
How we managed to smile is beyond me because we were tired.
Waiting in line at the Digital Media City. It's still Julianne's bed time.
Still waiting in line.
Front of the line
General back area of the line
Why we went out in public like is is also beyond me! Haha lol.
Filming of Dream Project
Some of the contestants
This guy was a SICK dancer! Watch out Korea haha this guy has got skill. Also, this is Julianne practicing her stalking/paparazzi photo taking abilities haha jk lol.
Stalker.....jk
Filming of Dream Project
Contestants
Dream Project bus
Putting our names on the list! We're in!
Our first fieldtrip was to the 우정총국/Central Post Office(oo-jung-chong-gook) in 서울. Before we got to the post office, a lot of celebrations and preparations have been going on because Buddha's birthday is coming up in a few days. There was a place of worship and activities that were going on so Dr. Peterson decided that he would talk about Buddhism while the celebrations were taking place. After hearing a little bit about Buddhism, we went to the 우정총국/Central Post Office. The 우정총국/Central Post Office was a government office where Korea's first modern postal service began. It's also significant because an assasination took place there. A group called 개화파/Gaehwapa was progressive/anti-Chinese who wanted change in the government. They were against the 민/Min family who were conservatice/pro-Chinese and so they tried to remove the regime led by the 민/Min family to organize a new government. They staged an assasination to blame it on the Chinese but it wasn't convincing.
Lanterns for Buddha's birthday. These are everywhere in Korea!
The papers attached to the lanterns are wishes/desires of individuals.
Going to worship
우정총국/Central Post Office
우전총국/Central Post Office
Study Abroad
Inside 우정총국/Central Post Office
우정총국 개설연회 좌석 배치도. This was a seating arrangement map of the opening ceremony in celebration of the establishment of 우정총국/Central Post Office.
We went to 대청마루(dae-chung-mah-roo) for some lunch. They had really good 불고기(bool-go-gi) which is marinated beef. A lot of people like 불고기; I think it's alright that I'm not crazy about it but this place had really good 불고기. In other words, if I liked it, it was really good!
대청마루. This is where we ate super good 불고기.
Even at some restaurants, you must take your shoes off.
Although this restaurant had places to sit on the ground, we ended up eating at a table because there was a lot of us.
불고기 cooking! I died and went to heaven eating this.
After lunch, we took taxis to our next fieldtrip: 성균관(sung-gyoon-gwan)! I was so excited for this one because I've heard so much about it. 성균관 was the Confucian academy during the 고려/Goryeo and 조선/Joseon dynasties as well as a shrine for Confucius and his followers, disciples, and scholars. Pretty much the Harvard of Korea at the time. Only sons of 양반(yang-bahn)/Korean aristocrats could apply and enter the academy. Those who pass the civil service exam/final exam become government civil service officials. This guaranteed prestige and power. At 성균관, Dr. Peterson gave us background on Confucianism. Because everything on this study abroad has been new to me, it was difficult to pay attention because I didn't know what to take notes on. I found through listening so far that it has been the best option. Also, because it was getting closer to 5:00, Michelle, Victoria, Kenwood, and I had a hard time paying attention because we had to leave to go to M!Net Countdown.
성균관/The Confucian Academy
은행나무/Gingko trees (eun-haeng-na-moo). Although this might not be the real thing, this tree looks like the one that 문재신 Moon Jae Shin stands on in 성균관 스캔들/Sungkyunkwan Scandal haha lol.
After the lecture, we ran to find a taxi. Luckily, we made it to the Digital Media City in time. We were able to get in! There were so many girls!! There were a couple guys because CN Blue was going to be there. The security guards ordered us to sit down in front of the studio doors until the crew was ready for us to come in. The security guards are scary and serious. After about 15 minutes, they let us in and we got FRONT ROW!!!!! I still can't believe it; that was so lucky! One benefit of being front row is that you get to interact with the performers. They notice you and they'll respond if you say their name, etc. which is what we got to do and we got a few responses back! It was so cool!! The studio is vey small. That's why they only had 70-80 spots available. I wish I could have taken pictures of the performances but they were really strict on cameras and recording. They would shine flashlights during the performances and if they spotted you with a camera, they kicked you out. Yeah crazy scary. Although I knew a couple groups that performed, there were so many that I've never heard of. No wonder Koreans are surprised at how many groups I know. It's so hard to keep up with new K-pop groups. There's so many that you stop paying attention to the latest groups after a while.
Waiting outside. We're so excited!
Going into the Digital Media City! We're almost there!
Long lines of people waiting inside. They had people waiting on the stairs and on the floor. We were on the floor.
Just let us in security guard lady! I can't wait any longer!
Girlies waiting to be let into the broadcast.
M!Net Countdown
We saw CN Blue, U-Kiss, Brian Joo, 4Minute, SISTAR19, Kim Wan Sun/김완선/이선 (I just have to say, she's cool because we have the same birthday. Except the fact that she was born in the 60's and I wasn't. Haha okay, now you're wondering, what's a 40 yr old doing there? She's considered to be "Korea's Madonna". I wouldn't have thought Madonna but if Korea wants a Madonna then ok.), Monday Kiz, December, Untouchable, Rainbow, Girl's Day, Apink, Turtles, Soul Dive, SpinEL, Dal★Shabet, and ERU. I knew about 4 of those and it was the first 4. Even though I knew those 4, I didn't know their music that well. I knew of U-Kiss and CN Blue along with a few of their songs There were some groups that I was raising eyebrows at thinking, "What on earth am I watching?? Get off the stage! NEXT!" Some of the girl groups looked like knock offs of Girl's Generation/SNSD/소녀시대.
The performances that I liked the best were U-Kiss and Brian Joo. CN Blue was pretty good too but because they did the pre-recording earlier, they performed but lipsynced and goofed off onstage. It was entertaining but it would have been awesome if they performed live. It was crazy seeing 정용화 Jung Yong Hwa who was in the drama 미남이시네요/You're Beautiful (mi-nami-shi-neyo), which was amazing! He's going to be in another drama which sounds pretty good. Haha and it's with the same girl from 미남이 시네요 too! It broadcasts 2 days after I leave Korea. It's called 넌 내가 반했어/You've Fallen for Me (nohn-nae-ga bahn-hae-soh). But U-Kiss and Brian Joo definitely surprised me! They were really good live and the songs they performed were good too. I'm in love with the songs they perfomed. Because their songs are new (hence the broadcast), the songs are played everywhere: restaurants, stores, etc. I got the music right after the broadcast haha. U-Kiss was so funny and really fun to interact with before and after the performance.
I got to interact with Kevin Woo from U-Kiss!! In my honest opinion, I felt like he and 수현 Soohyun performed the best out of U-Kiss, although all of them did very well. Which is great because those two are my favorite! Such good voices! I yelled out to Kevin, "I love you Kevin!!" He saw me and had the biggest smile come across his face and said, "I love you too!!" Haha and then I did a heart with my hands and he did it back too and then we waved to each other. Haha that boy is so darling when he smiles! Haha lol. Call me a little girl but seriously, that was the coolest thing ever! Kevin Woo, Kevin Woo is a 재미교포 (jae-mi-kyo-po) which means that he's Korean but grew up in America. He's westernized and has perfect English.
0330 - U-Kiss. They performed this song at M!Net Countdown. I'm in love with this song! Kevin (the one that I got to interact with) is the one at 1:25, 1:43, 2:18, 2:30 (that's him singing). 수현 Soohyun is the one singing at 1:22-1:43.
U-Kiss performace 0330 live at M!Net Countdown! I was here! I WAS HERE!!!! It's still blowing my mind! They were really good live! In this video, you might think, "oh they're just ok" but seriously, they were so good live! Especially Kevin and 수현 Soohyun! U-Kiss really got the crowd going during their performance.
U-Kiss performing at M!Net!!!!!!!!!
Brian Joo was another one that was amazing live and he performed twice! He's just like Kevin, a 재미교포. I've heard about him but I've never heard his music until tonight which was amazing! I knew Brian Joo from television shows. He's absolutely hilarious! He can imitate black women so well that it makes you cry tears of laughter. SUPER FUNNY STORY: So, I first heard about Brian Joo when he was on the Korean television show 강심장/Strong Heart where he had to do a sexy dance off with 박정민 Park Jung Min which was also very hilarious. I would post the video but I can't find it anywhere on the internet anymore. Anyways, keep that in mind later that that was the only thing I knew about Brian Joo. So Brian Joo gets up on stage and while the producing crew is setting things up, he's on stage trying to get in performance mood. The song he was going to perform was a deep, soulful song that he needed to get in the right mindset to perform it well. Well, so many girls were trying to get his attention but he just ignored them and tried to concentrate. Then I got an idea. I yelled out, "SEXY DANCE!!" That broke his concentration and made him laugh a bit. He looked up, laughed, and had this look on his face, "did I really hear what I just heard?" Quite a few laughed at what I said and then when he had his reaction it made everyone laugh! Snaps for Julianne for being the only one to get Brian Joo's attention! Sa-weet! Well Brian Joo, I'm glad I could make you laugh! I love the song that he performed at M!Net Countdown but another one that I love is Domino. It's in English and so goood!!!!!!!!
After a few minutes, Brian Joo performed 사랑하다 끝났어/Love, But It's Over Now. It was my first time hearing him sing and it was also the first time I heard that song too. It was amazing! He was so good live too!
사랑하다 끝났어/Love, But It's Over Now - Brian Joo. I'm in love with this song as well!
Brian Joo's performance of 사랑하다 끝났어/Love, But It's Over Now at M!Net Countdown! I'm going to scream it again, I WAS HERE!! Just like I said about U-Kiss, when you see this you might be thinking, "oh he's just ok" but SERIOUSLY he was AMAZING! I think it's the darn broadcasting.
DO WATCH THIS! ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN NEED OF SOME LAUGHTER! I decided to post this because this is also how I knew of Brian Joo! He's really good at acting like black women. Growing up in New Jersey probably had something to do with his knowledge of black women. I included the video with English subtitles so you can understand what they're saying. What they say in Korean might not be as funny to Americans but it's more funny if you're Korean. That's how a lot of translations from Korean to English are. They're funny in Korean but once they translate into English it's not always funny but when I watched this without the subtitles, I was rolling on the ground laughing. Brian Joo performs at the end and his performance at M!Net Countdown sounded a lot more like this than the other video. I know that doesn't make sense but me, Victoria, Michelle, and Kenwood were talking about it after and all of us agree.
Domino - Brian Joo. I love this song by him! It's in English. He has a Korean version but I think the lyrics flow better in English.
Love Girl - CN Blue. They're pretty popular in Korea and in Japan. Haha this music video is so cute!
Love Girl - CN Blue's performance at M!Net Countdown! This is the pre-recording but they were at the live recording as well. The drummer, 강민혁 Kang Min Hyuk, didn't have his drums at the live recording was one indicator that we knew they performed earlier but they still performed in a way. The main singer is 정용화 Jung Yong Hwa (insert little fan girl scream!)
Shururup - Monday Kiz performing at M!Net Countdown. They were the first to perform and were good live. Ok so this video is cool because you can see my and Michelle's head for a moment. At 2:13-2:15, in the right corner, you can see us. Michelle has long light brown hair with a blue shirt and my hair is dark and curly and I'm wearing white. If you can stop it fast and right, you can see us.
Beautiful Woman - December performing at M!Net Countdown. These guys were good too! If you're looking hard, you can spot us. Not going lie, I was totally digging the guy's suit on the left (my left/stage left). If any of you have seen 꽃보다 남자/Boys Over Flowers, this song sounds so much like 내 머리가 나빠서/Because I'm Stupid by SS501.
This is the finale when they announce the winner for the week. f(x) won but they performed earlier at the pre-recording. It was exciting looking at the screen as they votes were being counted and getting to see the groups' reaction to see if they won or not. You get to see the audience/crowd and got to say it again, but FRONT ROW BABY!!!!! With the broadcast, it looks like we're not that far away but really we were so close. Beauty of television. I could have taken 2 small steps and been onstage. A bit of f(x)'s performance is at the end. FYI, the girl at 1:07-1:14 is 16 years old! Who looks like that 16??????
After the broadcast, as we were coming out, Michelle and I saw U-Kiss coming out and going to their dressing rooms. We saw 수현 and I believe the other one was 기섭 Kiseob. At first, we were like, they look familiar and then we were like, "OH MY GOSH! THAT'S U-Kiss!!" Haha I wish I could have taken a picture but by the time I would have gotten my camera out, they were gone. We ran into SpinEL downstairs who performed at the broadcast! Haha it's kind of funny but some of the groups after wandered in the building. They were so sweet and nice! We even got to take a picture with them.
M!Net Countdown Broadcast Studio. To think that famous Korean groups have performed is just so cool!
We ran into SpinEL!
Oh man. Today was AWESOME! Totally worth getting up early. We even got to interact with a couple groups and see lots of good performances. But on the educational note, it was pretty cool to go to 성균관 because of the history and significance that place has with Confucius and many scholars enshrined there. That Confucian academy was a big deal a long time ago and so it was neat to be there where some of the most well-known and impacting people of Korea spent a good time of their life. Korea continues to amaze and amuse me. I'm am just loving it up here! :-)
