ROLE MODELS

I have a wide selection of Inspirational People on my Facebook bio. (From what I’ve gathered, I’m also one of the few users who actually use this feature on Facebook)

I think ‘Role Model’ is quite a broad term and there would be people on my list which would be influential in some ways, but very bad role models in other ways, which you may think as you read this list.

Audrey Hepburn: to not be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

2NE1: to be original, versatile and wear cool clothes.

Alexander Lee Eusebio: to give up something you know is wrong, despite the circumstances, for Christ.

Selena Gomez: to be beautiful inside and out, funny and not allow fame or success make you conceited.

Lady Gaga: to work hard and achieve your dreams.

Choi Seung Hyun: to remember although you may be rejected at first, work harder and try again.

Nicki Minaj: to not care about what anyone else thinks.

Josh Peck: to remind me that it doesn't matter what you look like, but health is important.

Jesus Christ: to remind me that I am well and truly loved: by dying on the cross, and through answered prayer, meeting my needs, listening when I feel broken and blessing me in a million wonderful ways to give me a wonderful and fulfilling life on earth.

Yay - I liked making that post.

Note: You have NO IDEA how CROSS I am that these images are low-resolution. I edited them for hours! I've no idea what happened. :( Apologies.

Bye bye.

K-POP MUSIC VIDEOOOOOOOOOOOS

Okay, so I’m getting a bit tired of the other blogging meme. I’ve had lots of work to do lately which involves spending endless hours on the computer, so blogging hasn’t really been my favourite thing to do. Big deadline is just before Christmas and I can’t wait to get everything handed in. I started this blog post a few weeks ago and decided to finish it on my night off.

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So I started listing my favourite K-Pop music videos - I can’t actually remember what made me want to do this but it seemed like fun.

Then I realised that 25 music videos were a bit much, so here I’m trying to list my ULTIMATE favourite music videos. Like, the absolute BEST. Yes, that’s a very difficult thing to do! And I’m inviting/forcing you to watch them. *o* ENJOY.

In no particular order...

Sorry Sorry - Super Junior

This song and music video was the culprit which introduced me into the world of K-Pop. I’m not sure if the overall music video is anything fantastic or is it just a mixture of affection and nostalgia for me. However it’s unarguably Super Junior’s best comeback and it’s one of the last videos where all 13 were together. (Yeah, 13 members.) Also it’s very, very catchy.

Haru Haru - Big Bang

First of all, it’s Big Bang. If that doesn’t instantly eradicate your conscious into mindless fangirl/boy squealing like it does for me, watch this one and follow a beautiful but soul-destroying story about two guys’ relationship with a girl. I’m not going to give anything away but get tissues.

Go Away - 2NE1

Okayy this video stars my all-time favourite female k-pop star CL, leader of girl-group 2NE1. (To Anyone or Twenty One). 2NE1 are like a sister group to BIGBANG because they are part of the same company, YG Entertainment. 2NE1 are my in my favourites because they are bold, quirky and haven’t the typical pretty appearance like most female artists, see Girls Generation or Wonder Girls etc. They stand out and aren’t afraid to be different, and also their tunes are CLASS! I could talk about them all day, but I need to remain focused and examine the video. I chose this one because it shows how badass they are, especially CL’s fierceness and individuality which I was trying to explain before. Also, their style is amazing.

This video was released in 2010 as part of their To Anyone album - so if you’re looking something new to listen to, I highly recommend it because I love every song.

Soooo, basically CL breaks up with her boyfriend (lol he looks female) and she is devastated. She seeks revenge and attempts to beat him in a race and fails, then she visits him at her house and he beats the living crap outta her (seriously), then she races him again... and then you can see what happens after that. I don’t want to give anything away. Incredible video but still...frustrating.

Roly Poly - T-ARA

Okay this one is so much fun. “Roly Poly” is an utterly addictive retro track with a fantastic music video to match. This M.V effectively imitates the seventies’ trend and T-ARA looks fabulous moving to the groovy choreography. You’ll have it on repeat.

Ring Ding Dong - SHINee

I initially heard this song about two years ago now and I still spontaneously sing a bit of it every day. This will be, without a doubt, the most catchy song you will ever, EVER hear. Like it or not, with one listens only once, it will be trapped in your head forever. To ensure this is permanent - the music video must also be viewed, meaning you can dance along. SHINee are, dare I say it, the One Direction of Korea - they have a band member to suit every girl’s taste. Except SHINee can dance with coordination and resilience! And in water too! Yes, SHINee are probably the best boyband out there at the minute. I lovvee this video. Fantastically elastic.

Mirotic - DBSK

If you like nakey men dancing sexy watch this. This was DBSK’s last comeback before they dissolved and WHAT A SHAME that was!! This video is captivatingly beautiful - it’s passionate and to put it bluntly, arousing. Yes, it’s rather sexualized with all their sexy moves and provocative outfits....but none of us really mind...good job SM Entertainment, good job.

Gee - Girls Generation
Just to point out the obvious comparisons between 2NE1 and every other girl group, here are Girls Generation - in other words, the goddesses of Korea. I find Girls Gen, or SNSD for their Korean name (So Nyuh Shi Dae) too skinny and fake, but most other boys in the world think otherwise. Despite this, I still like them and like their music too. This was the first music video of their’s that I watched but still think it’s one of their best. It’s cute and endearing and so typically asian. And, believe it or not, it’s catchy - I wish there was another word for catchy but I can’t think of one. But that’s exactly what it is. Ladies, prepare to hate your figures.

Butterfly - G-Dragon

In case you didn’t know, I’m very much YG biased, so I totally adore and support BigBang and 2NE1. As much as I love SHINee, I struggle to like SM Entertainment because they treat their artists like slaves, and I feel they have no freedom making their own music, unlike YG. Can’t remember why I started writing that sentence but G-Dragon, incase you didn’t know, is the leader of BIGBANG. In 2009, the members took a break and released individual singles. GD released the wonderful Heartbreaker album, another one of my favourite CDs which I could listen to the whole way through. He released this pretty song in late October. If you are into Anime and all that, I highly recommend this, because this MV is breathtakingly beautiful. GD is propelled into an animated world and meets a girl who falls for him. (Probably because of his gorgeous smile, how is he so pretty...) The odd thing here is how he’s the only one not animated, but his whole appearance makes it look like he is? It boggles my mind. Anyway it’s super cute and if you’re into the whole Anime art it would be worthwhile to have a lookie, I know Mary-Jane adores this.

Lucifer - SHINee

More SHINee - don’t be surprised. These guys released a Korean version of Lucifer in 2010, then a Japanese one a couple of months ago in 2011. My advice here is to watch the Korean first and take that in - it’s not as catchy as Ring Ding Dong - but after many listens I love it too. The highlight of this one is definitely Taemin’s hair - surprisingly gorgeous, and I want it! The outfits and hairstyles are a bit off (cough, Minho) but the choreography is fierce.

Having said that, in my opinion, the Japanese one is a TRILLION times better! Yes! You may wonder how SHINee could get ANY better but like, wow, the stylists actually got the hair and style 100%. It’s been like 9 weeks ago since they released it and I’m still geeking out. They look FLAWLESS. The cinematography is stunning - the varying pace in the speed of the image is absolutely perfect - I say this because it would be so complicated to get accurate in a fast-paced song. These impeded shots can reveal breath-taking close-ups of the boys’ singing and their movements - AND equal screen-time too, oh it’s faultless!

So I hope you are now thinking “Wow Claudia, that was fantastic! Thank you for recommending such wonderful and beautiful music videos to me!”

And if you don’t feel that, watch them all again.

CHRISTMAS CARD

Hello again! Did you all have a nice Christmas?

So yes, my intentions were to post photographs of my pressies, but I haven’t done that yet (and more than likely won’t, with exam revision looming.)

But anyway here is a fabulous card that Jared made me - it made me laugh a lot:

A great illustration of everything that I love!

He even wrote his own poem on the inside, which I adore. Enjoy.

To Claudia

We all know that you like kpop

And that you are in love with top

But big Bang are nothing compared to SNSD

Especially when they start to sing gee

So what your sexy brother is trying to say

Is that Shinee is completely gay

Sooyoung and I will not cause a fuss

So that you will have a merry Christmas

From your super mega sexy brother and his wife

Yes, he's convinced he's married to Sooyoung from Girls Generation. Bless.

Thank you Jared!! 

DON'T STOP THE RAIN!

Updates with pictures:

TokyoFashion.com

Most of my evenings have been spent on a website called Tokyo Fashion. This site updates regularly with photographs of the most original and bizarre fashion clothing shown in different areas of Japan. I’m fascinated with the street photos of Harajuku especially. I would spend hours analysing these outfits. It’s incredible that some people are able to devote themselves to customising themselves in such a way. Few are gorgeous, some are pretty rotten. It is inspiring though.

Papa Rain

Oh RAIN. The other night I downloaded (legally of course) all of his CDs: Rain’s World, Rainism, Back to the Basic...etc. Oh I do adore!! What a perfect man! His music is so gorgeous, especially Move On, Love Song and With U. I am truly in love!

Just remembered, so was Megan Fox. LOL. We have so much in common.

Why does he bother wearing clothes...I mean shirts.

Free Time
I still cannot get my head around all the free time I now have since my exams finished last Monday. It hasn’t properly kicked in that I actually will have nothing to do for four months and that I have finished high school education forever. It’s strange, I have so much on my To-Do list but it hasn’t been started yet. I thought I’d dive straight into it, I’m afraid I will become lazy and not do anything at all. On another note, I booked my accommodation for next year, and according to my loan, I will only be living on £2.50 a week. Dreadful!! I suppose I should be getting a job?

Weight

I’ve set myself an ultimate goal of losing 1 stone, 7lbs. I also worked out to obtain this goal by September I need to lose 1.5lbs in Slimming World per week. That’s not going to happen, but I shall try and shall report on my progress. (Because, you know, it’s such an interesting thing to blog about.)

Tumblr

Shhh, I know I’m not allowed to mention Tumblr, but I’m going to anyway. I do have a Tumblr page, linked here. It’s been incredibly addictive ever since I’ve finished studying. Please follow me if you use it too, and I will certainly follow you all back.

Park Bom: (yes I love celebrities)

Oh beautiful lady! Yes, I do believe my female K-Pop bias at the moment is Park Bom from 2NE1. Move over CL, you will have to share your place with this gorgeous girl! Seriously, don’t understand why I didn’t like Bom before: honestly I thought she was very boring compared to the other three. HOWEVER ever since I’ve seen her new music video ‘Don’t Cry’ I’ve fallen for her.

Y’know a while ago I posted about that romantic ‘sweet sharing’ scene in IRIS which I got mixed responses from? I had a similar emotional breakdown when I watched this M.V!! I don’t know what did it, perhaps the cool guy in it, I don’t know... (unable to explain what on earth I am talking about) Anyway, I think the point is, he dies..even though they were engaged..and their hug *cries* I love them. Shut up Claudia, go to bed.

What am I saying? I never need to sleep again.

Or remove nail polish for school on Monday mornings. Woohoo!

CRINGE!

Since the Best Fashion blog was a hoot to write, I am going to write another one. Except this one is going to be HILARIOUS, because it’s the WORST fashion in K-Pop. Properly. Not another James version.

This really goes without explanation, but I like doing introductions to my posts. (Even if no-one reads what I write) As I said before, Korea has a unique and interesting sense of style for their idols. Many would wear such things that we wouldn’t dare to, or even sell for that matter.

Of course, this is often taken too far. Stylists go a bit over the top and these poor men and women are forced to wear the most hideous things. I have researched this and attempted to gather the best of the worst. Enjoy.

KARA

I was arranging the photos there in the folder known as “Bad” on my desktop. The plan was to place them in not-so-bad to completely awful. This mission failed because it was just too difficult to put them in order. They are ALL bad.

Look at KARA here. MY WORD, why can I see bras, odd tight colours and WTF is wrong with the girl at the end’s body shape.

TVXQ- Keep Your Head Down Suits

This is what is left of the DBSK after they ‘dissolved.’ For all you clueless people, the 5 piece group broke up in 2008 after 3 of them filled a case against their management (SM Entertainment) for making them work too hard. (rightly so!) The other three created a new group called JYJ while Changmin and Yunho remained with SM. And as you can all see, the torture continues for these two BECAUSE OF THESE SUITS WHAT THE FLIP IT’S THE MOST HIDEOUS THING I’VE EVER SET MY EYES ON. (So far...)

Poor Yunho. o_O Keep Your Head Down Yunho! (LOL PUN)

G Dragon, Perm Boy.

Oh dear, I see so many things wrong with this outfit. Everything actually. He’s like an old English school boy that has moved on to enroll in Pimp Academy. Ahh, it’s so tacky. I actually want to cry.

2NE1 Lollipop

In my head, I think 2NE1 are the best dressed girls, but also the worst. You saw that their clothes were a bit iffy in the GOOD post, but now imagine them in the BAD post. See here how sickly colourful and mismatched they are. However I do think they can get away with this look more than other groups could.

Guy with Wings

Curses, I did not save his name on this file so I don’t know who it is. Bleugh. By my guess, he looks like a 2PM member or maybe BEAST. If you know please tell me because it’s bugging me now. OR is it G-Dragon????? Looks like him too! :S

Whoever it is, the point is this guy has fur attached to the lower part of his arm. And that looks silly.

Park Bom

Poor Girl. POOR POOR GIRL. Who’s idea was it to dress her like this? It is indecent!

G-Dragon ripped to shreds

You may have noticed a common occurrence of this guy here, and yes, there is more to come. G-Drag has had more fashion disasters than anyone, ever. If this denim wasn’t ugly enough, look at the arms of that. How did he even put it on? Did his hand not get caught in the strands...

DBSK

Oh cry forever. Cry cry cry cry cry. To share the tears with me, or to understand at least why I am crying, look at the photo I had uploaded in the Best Dressed post. Yup, same guys, same order they are standing in too. It’s so disturbing, but kinda funny. XD

G-Dragon.....again

I think we would be crying too if we had to sing on stage with a fringe and a hood like that. For some reason it reminds me of Gaga, gone completely wrong. And that’s saying something.

Yejun from F.Cuz

Honestly if I was him I would kill his stylist.

G-Dragon for the fourth time!

Big Bang (G-Dragon is the leader) and 2NE1 done a collaboration for the Lollipop music video. So I suppose the 2NE1 image and this does match. But c’mon, why put a boy in a pink boiler suit. With a shirt and tie. He looks like my dog.

G-Dragon in a kilt.

I think this outfit from the head to the waist is actually pretty good, but then after that....

T.O.P

Oh DEAREO. T.O.P has a hairband on. He is wearing it the way I would when I am getting ready in the mornings when I am applying foundation.

Thankfully he has a beautiful face..but his hair is like, white. -.- Yay, he is wearing glasses! Amen to that!

Okay let’s scan down. Jacket and shirt, yes it looks nice despite the strange headpiece.. and okay..what wat wot...WHAT KIND OF TROUSERS ARE THEY. He looks so uncomfortable.

I like his ring though.

Jaejoong

Haha you are all perverts. I think if he didn’t have a good body this would be just disgusting. Well more disgusting than what it actually is.

It’s sexy though, right?

I JOKE. (or do I?)

Are those gloves leather?

And for the winner of this lousy competition: CHOI SIWON!!!!

There isn’t even a point of explaining this, y’all can see how silly this looks!

LOLLING FOREVER.

I can imagine I will look back at this post and cringe that I would write such a thing!

However that was fun.

- Claudia out.

FASHION REFRESHED!

Hello! Since I feel completely FASHION REFRESHED after my fabulous evening at Belfast Fashion Week a few weeks ago, I feel inspired to further talk about clothes on others.

Being me, I have scanned the internet and collected the prettiest outfit photographs as possible...as, you guessed it...K-Pop stars! WOOP.

I’ve mentioned this before ages ago, but Koreans dress ten times better than the commoners in the European music industry. It’s fascinating. They are much more advanced in everything, including music, fashion and technology and I love it because it’s a step ahead. They also look better because they are so skinny/starved.

So here goes the criticism.

2NE1 and the guy with bear trainers

You know I’m completely 2NE1 biased anyway and you all may scorn this, but parts of these outfits are gorgeous.

I am quite impartial to the other three girls outfits..why are the two middle ones matching? (Your tights are TOO SEE-THROUGH)

However what stands out here in this picture is CL’s GORGEOUS floor length black dress. Yes, I am obsessed with style but when I saw this picture my mouth dropped open! So sophisticated but the high boots give that attitude to an otherwise typical outfit. I also love the hair- so unusual but very cool!

I shall include another picture of her dress:

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I want to look like this at the formal. I won’t. But I sure would like to.

SM the Ballad

Korean idols are so tiny they can get away with wearing almost anything. Here these guys look like dolls with their perfect vintage look. As much as I love all these outfits, my favourite here would be Kyuhyun (far right) because he just looks so dapper. The green and grey is gorgeous, and the folded up jeans showing brogues are snazzy!

Wonder Girls

It’s often talked about what idols wear to airports. Airports in Asia are like unofficial catwalks and they are constantly photographed. Here are the Wonder Girls- known as the best dressed female airport travelers. This look is casual but as we all know it needs also to be comfortable when you are walking through and sitting on a plane for a long time. I don’t know the Wonder Girls but I like the girl in the background wearing the sunglasses. She looks cool and her hair is so pretty.

Donghae Photoshoot

Again with the neat outfits. This time with a patterned shirt, bow-tie and cardigan. I don’t know why bowties worn like this are not popular over here? This is quirky and kinda geeky but I like it.

T.O.P and pretty lady for ELLE magazine

Lol completely T.O.P bias person here. But honestly, I love this photo shoot although it doesn’t really show anything cute, unique or crazy. It’s pretty average.

However I think T.O.P looks pretty HOT here. No Claudia, that’s off topic, stop it. (But I do miss his black hair! It’s so sleek!)

DBSK

OH my goodness, I couldn’t decide what photo to pick for DBSK when I was researching this blog post. They always looked SO GOOD. Don’t know where to start here so I’ll do each one individually. (lol.)

Junsu (far left)- To be honest, I’ve never really liked this guy, and really his silly sequined jacket spoils this photograph. So much for being a best dressed post!

Yoochun- Ha I’m being such a hypocrite here, but I do not like BEIGE. Or his ginger hair.

Jaejoong- Okay, I think ANYTHING this guy wears looks good, it helps being the best looking guy in Asia and all, but yes, his style is swoon. His hair is perfect and the maroon cardigan looks casual with skinnys. Few boys can, but that scarf looks lovely on him. Kudos to him.

Changmin- More beige?? Honestly this doesn’t look bad. Takes a brave soul to wear it. I think it suits him though.

Yunho- YUM. Okay. Well the only thing I see is a jacket. And it’s not bad. I like the hair like that.

Jaejoong defo wins this one. The photo as a whole looks great because each colour on their outfits compliment each other.. but anaylising each separately was not as much fun. Boo. Fail.

Minho

It is Minho, isn’t it? Gosh this guy looks so so good. Usually I hate these checked shirts because they are so common but with the grey trousers and belt and the shirt sleeves rolled up makes it so much more chic. (I can use chic for a guy, can’t I?) And OH the bowtie, swoon. It’s so charming!

2NE1 Jackets

Is my style a bit wack or WHY do I like these jackets? Yes more 2NE1. I wish this photo was better quality because I would like to see the jacket in better detail. The shoulder pads are amazing and of course CL (red) has the best one.

Ryeo and Eunhyuk

Ahh so much brown! These guys are Ryeowook and Eunhyuk from Super Junior. You’ve no idea how much I love this, and I do not like brown colours. Right, I’ll start with Ryeowook. I LOVE his jacket. Is that a hood I see underneath? Fashionable but looks comfortable too. The jeans rolled up are beaut too. I like how they are tucked up and the stitching matches the boots.

Ok Eunhyuk next. Personally, I don’t think the jacket would suit anybody unless you were like a model or someone famous. It also looks like something my Mum would wear, but whatever. I like it. Although the wrapped bit looks like a dressing gown. And HAH I love the trousers. Hehe it looks although he’s just out of bed with his dressing gown over his pajama bottoms! Ryeowook wins this one 100%.

Little Taemin

SQUEAL. I love this photo shoot. It’s all the rage to look vintage and Taemin from SHINee totally owns it. I love the layers from shirt, orange waistcoat and jacket and how the tie overlaps both but is still tucked in. Ah more neutral colours too! It’s very plain but the bright orange makes it more vibrant and brings out his orangey tinge in his hair.

G-Dragon

Wow, I like his hat. Where did he get that idea from?

2NE1 on stage

Yay for more 2NE1. I shall point out what I like about this photograph.

Minzy’s jacket (ginger, left) WOW I love this. Again I need a clearer picture! >.< I love purple and she seriously suits this when her hair is bright orange. The pattern and style of the jacket is amazing. Honestly, I want this jacket so much. She looks so pretty.

Blah I know it’s bad but I get Dara and Bom mixed up all the time! Okay, next one. I hate her dress being worn like this because its far too short. The belt does not help. And her skin is too pale... and to further be mean, her legs look too heavy with those shoes covering her ankles. Sorry babe. The dress would look a lot nicer with leggings or skinny jeans. Or even different heels and wear her hair down. And there’s no jewelry. :( This makes me sad because she is so pretty.

Bom/Dara- OH MY WORD WHAT. You are destroying my good k-pop fashion post.

CL- I love this girl but her jacket appears to be made from my living room curtains. The gold design isn’t flattering and it looks a bit cheap. And what’s that on her neck? I think the boots would suit with something else, not that jacket.

SS501

There is nothing like a man in a suit. Boys, if your stuck for clothes, a waistcoat and shirt always goes far. SS501 shows you how it’s done.

(However, if I’m being fussy, NO jewelry unless it’s a classy watch. Yes, I’m talking to you boy who is wearing a necklace. That’s just odd.)

T.O.P

Ah why does he kill me everyday. My dad can call him a fag if he wants to but I still think T.O.P is the sexiest guy on the planet. Oh my word, them glittery cuffs on his jacket! And a QUIFF. And leather lapels on his jacket!!

Oh wait.. ring and an earring? I shall make an exception because it is T.O.P. *Swoon forever*

Yeah that’s it. So what have I learned in this fashion research?

❦ Only take some fashion tips from 2NE1.

❦ Look like CL.

❦ Vintage look: little jackets, ties, bowties and brogues are in!

❦ Look good at the airport, because the paps might attack!

❦ Bowties are definitely in. In Korea that is. NEVER in Northern Ireland. Because that would make you gay.

❦ Tuck in/roll up your jeans! Especially in the winter months.

❦ I love jackets.

❦ Boys in suits look good, always.

❦ T.O.P is still sexay.

I know y’all hate it when I blog crap but it will continue when I am available to. If you have any comments or complaints about this fashion post let me know!

I only blogged once last week (blogsphemy) and usually would aim to blog at least twice to three times. But I’m bogged down with work as well as designing and creating our year’s school Yearbook, so I will when I can!

- Claudia