Jun and Sho

I was planning to post this long, long thing about how I feel like fandom misunderstands, or... at least has to move away from the labels they put on Jun, and how Sho is way too over-exposed and fandom needs to stop worshipping the perfect, fail, ground he walks on. Instead i'm just going to summarize the whopping 1500 word essay I wrote. 

For Jun. All this "princess", "diva", "kakkoii-ikemen", and to that certain Lj community "lesbian" stuff is really getting to me. I don't know if it's cause Jun is my favourite or what but he seems to be the member that has the most negative stuff said about him. He can't sing, can't dance, can't act like Nino can, he's not dorky, or fail, or funny, or cute. All he is is a "pretty face". It frustrates me, the amount of times I've seen "Jun used to be my favourite cause of HanaDan but then I then I realized Member-x was more funny/talented/good-looking/etc than him". Or how many times I've seen people say they think he's arrogant, or a drama-queen, or.. just... all that. I know some of these are said as endearments, like how Aiba is stupid, but they seem to be used just as much as negatives. A lot of people are saying "omgosh Jun is changing"... but I don't think Jun is changing. I think Jun is just being himself but no one ever took the time to notice anything past his Do-S persona. You really wanna say Jun wasn't dorky in the past? Remember that DnA where he shoved a clock down his pants?

Actually I used to be really nervous when admitting Jun was my favourite (yes Nino is also, it's complicated) because ... well... no one ever agreed with me.  I would go on about how "nice" he is and his work-ethic and how I admire Jun because he tries so hard, really, really tries even if he's not that great and it's a trait that should be respected. And I feel like a lot of fandom doesn't see this part of Jun, or they don't acknowledge it enough. I don't mean that Jun should be everyones ichiban (because all the other members have equally admirable traits) but I wish people would just realize, more, that despite Jun not having any spotlight skills, behind the stage he deserves a lot of recognition that he doesn't seem to recieve.

and as for Sho. I hope I don't offend anyone but for the past year or so... how much I like Sho is rapidly falling. It's not like I don't like him. It's impossible for me to dislike a member of Arashi. But he is definitely lagging behind all the other members. Why? Two words. Sho Fail. You're probably confused. How can I dislike the one thing that everyone in fandom is absolutely crazy for? ... easy. Because it's so over-exposed it's ridiculous. I'll laugh at a joke once, twice, three times.. but when I see at least one Sho!Fail reference every other day - be it from fans, or through TV, or what.. to be honest? I'm getting sick and tired of it.

I don't want to blame Sho, it's not his fault, it's probably the directors telling him to do it but you know what? Could he stop being so obvious with his fail? Like if you're going to fail, do it the Aiba-way and be 'Tennen" about it. Don't do it so obviously with that face that is pretty much like "I know I'm failing, aren't I so funny?". Maybe it's just me who thinks it but when I watch Sho fail these days, there are the moments I laugh. Then there are the moments I kind of just want to be like "......no". I don't want to admit it but.. lately there have been fans complaining that Sho is looking arrogant and snobby these days........... I can see where they are coming from. I can, I really can. -_-;; I'm sorry. Sho!Fail - in Shukudai-kun it was funny because it was actually quite rare. Now? ...yeaaaah.. no. It's not cutting it for me anymore. For the rest of fandom, sure, obviously fans are still loving watching Sho fail, to me? It's just painful.

So yeah. there you have it. The summarized version of my rant. I hope I didn't offend anyone (especially with the whole Sho thing). If people wanna come running at me with pitch-forks or if you just wanna plain disagree go ahead, please don't try to change my mind though. I've had these thoughts for a while. I actually just didn't say them because.. to be honest... Arashi fandom kind of scares me. Sometime it feels like if I say anything remotely negative people will rip my head off. *shudders*

Actually lately it feels like I never have anything to say about fandom except for complaints and it makes me feel terrible, but then I realize that complaining about fandom is different than complaining about Arashi. I still love the boys, but somehow I feel like I can't fit in with the rest of the fangirls who seem to treat them like Gods who can do no wrong.

Fandom Frustrations...

If you're part of LJ and you found out about the "Subbers Meme" and read all the stuff about STORMY or SBK you can guess what I will be talking about. If not, it's fine. I just need to let off some steam. Mind you this isn't complaints against the subbers and I'm not trying to offend anyone, I really just need to let off some steam about this entire situation. It's stupid in my opinion. (-_-;;)

I guess.. I don't really get why people are complaining. I mean a lot of people are saying STORMY is being "elite" by not letting people in or having to answer "essays" but.. I don't know. When I saw there new rules come out I was a bit annoyed but then sort of shrugged and was like "whatever, guess I'll do it" and I really didn't see the problem. It only took about.. a minute of my time. Literally. Yes even answering the "essay" didn't take more than 30 seconds. Why should't it? I wrote a paragraph. Wait.. where is this essay we're getting at? Maybe if you're new, than yes that might be a hard question to answer and it could be frustrating but hey if you want some help Here you go!! =D

So yes, for the application for STORMY.. I don't see what "essay" you have to write. "What makes Arashi Arashi" use as many words as you want. You can write a fricken SENTENCE. No. Seriously. Where does it say write an ESSAY? o_o I wrote a paragraph. 5 sentences. Not that hard, took about 30 seconds and bam, done, comment over. If you got rejected than yeah.. that sucks.. no offense. Get over it? I know this might not help coming from someone who did get in (shoot me =D) but.. if I didn't get in, I doubt I'd be moping, and complaining about it. Sure, maybe a one liner in my LJ update "STORMY rejected me.. T.T *sobs*" and okay, that's done and over with. Oh dear, I have no access to subbed videos now... hmm... wait! I forgot, there are like.. 14 other Arashi subbing teams out there =O *GASP* Okay, they are the only group subbing "Smile" but considering they are 4 episodes behind... I don't really think I'm missing out... No. Really. Oh. Also. I can't understand Japanese and I hate watching RAW. I'm not crying that much about missing subtitles. I just figure, no subs, no watch.

Fine, you can get mad, and freedom of speech of course but you know. It's been a while. That subbers meme was supposed to let everyone rant and rave and be pissed and than after everyone can just shut the hell up. Obviously that did not happen and people are still seen complaining and blah and blah and it's just like "My god people, get over with it..."

By the way, I did pull into account that I might be feeling this way because hey, I actually got in (first try in both SBK and STORMY and damn it was easy..) but then I thought about it some more and I really. I don't think I'd care so much. I'm very... apathetic about many things. As a fangirl... as a person in the JE fandom I find I never get caught up in all the drama that occurs inside of it. Or.. I never feel as strongly for anything as every else does. Oh, I also realized that the reason I've only been seeing complaints is that.. what the hell is the point of complaining if you get in right?

Oh and yes. I have no life. So that is indeed why I posted this. Because I have no life. *sobs for myself*
I am always aware that I may seem immature, well... I am at that age where my immaturity level supposedly resembles that of a "stupid 14-year-old"... *hinthint*  =D

Anyways, I think that is enough "letting of steam" for one day. As always, feel free to agree, disagree, insult, bash, mentally scar...

and I know I haven't posted in a while, so sorry the first thing had to be a rant (>_<;;)

[The Fandom Chronicles #4] NewS vs KAT-TUN?

I don't like KAT-TUN as a group. I don't know why, I'm just... biased like that I guess (^^'') and NewS is like.. you know, I don't have much opinion over them. I don't hate them, I like about 1/2 the members... but.. something I found odd.

I like KAT-TUN music  a lot more than NewS (no offense, their music isn't that great... )

Strange how things work out that way huh?

In fact, I guess you can't even say I like NewS music... I mean.. the one song I've ever listened on repeat with NewS is probably their debut song ~Kibou~Yell but, that doesn't count cause I have some... thing with debut songs. Like, I will always like them. But.. any other songs is just sort of like "eh... it's nice" when it starts playing but.. after it stops I won't have the urge to listen to it again.

KAT-TUN though, as long as I don't watch ANY PV's whatsoever, I will like that song. A lot. If you make me watch a PV though I will hate the song... but in general, I find, KAT-TUN songs really good. Well.. only the ones I have downloaded anyways (which is only their singles).

Am I weird? I don't know, it seems strange to me. That I like KAT-TUN music a lot and yet don't like the actual group and then .. I "like" the group NewS and don't really like their music. (again, NewS is a really... touchy subject cause I don't watch any of their videos or follow them at all but if you give me a vote, I will pick them over KT o_o)

but overall, KinKi Kids will always reign supreme... followed by Arashi and TOKIO ^^ 

[The Fandom Chronicles #3] MG vs HYD vs BoF

I was at Asianfanatics reading a topic about Meteor Garden vs Hana Yori Dango vs Boys over Flowers and.. I don't actually have an AF account but I thought I would post my thoughts here. Earlier I made a post about "Boys over Flowers" and what I liked and I disliked but.. I think my opinions have changed a bit and I'll go more into detail now. I'd like to clarify that I never got past episode 1 of "Meteor Garden" because eh... I just... didn't like it. (-_-;;) And.. um.. after seeing episode 6 and a bit more deeper thinking, my views in this write-up will be different from what I have said previously because now, I am actually thinking deeply about this. Oh and I will say this straight up right now so you're not pissed at me - I am very biased with the Japanese drama xD

To clarify:
I don't like korean dramas (but I do sort of watch BoF)
I like taiwanese dramas even less (haven't watchd MG)
Japanese drama's are okay
I'm not really a shoujo manga fan.. (but I did read HYD)
yet for some reason I LOVE HYD (drama)

So. Let me begin.

Makino/Shan Cai/JanDi
I have only watched episode one of Meteor Garden so I can't really say much on the character of Barbie Hsu, as I don't really know her but a lot of people said she was too old or something along the lines of that.. but.. truthfully I don't really remember what she looks like. I just remember.. um... her riding a bike. Makino - Mao, I love her. (I'm a bit biased... *cough*) I mean, she didn't look overly pretty, but she had her own special sort of "innocent" charm. She played tough yet cute really well, and I think she played manga Makino to the dot. JanDi isn't bad but she could use some working on. I'm not a KoreanDrama fan in general so I don't know if Koreans like this but i find her facial expressions sometimes too exaggerated. I know they're for comedy purposes but I just find them annoying and unneeded. I have to admit, she has lots of spunk and she can play the serious scenes quite well though.

Overal Winner - Inoue Mao

Domyouji/Dao Ming Zi/Jun Pyo
Eh.. the only memory I have of Dao Ming Zi was.. really whacky hair do. I find a lot of fans saying how great "Jerry Yan" was because he was so "tall and hot" and blah blah blah, and I get really mad when people say things like this because how superficial when you get? Oh who cares if he was taller than MatsuJun, overall Jun was still the greater actor. I mean, you might think Jun was ugly and you might have hated him with a passion at the beginning of HYD but I'm sure all HYD fangirls, at the end, fell in love with Jun as Domyouji correct? Jun acted very well, he did the arrogant, the angry, the cute, the kind and the lonely to near perfection. I think the only problem really was just his appearance, but acting wise MatsuJun was great. Lee Min Ho I believe is the actor for Jun Pyo correct? (correct me if I'm wrong ^^;;) and at first I said he was a great Domyouji. And he is. He is good looking, and he acts very well but when I thought about I realized there wasn't something missing. I don't know if it's just me but.. I thought... overall he was a bit too kind. Because truthfully I hated Jun so much at the beginning of HYD (just like in the manga but in BoF I don't really hate JunPyo, ever, I just find him endearingly cute, sometimes a bit irrational but I never out-right dislike him. Although Lee Min Ho plays a good Domyouji he seems a bit too soft and in the beginning... Domyouji wasn't soft. And I can't feel the "lonly" vibe I felt from Jun. Also.. I really liked the scenes where Jun would go out at night and punch people.. I miss them. (T_T)

Overall Winner - MatsuJun

Hanazawa Rui/Hua Ze Lei/Yoon Ji
Yoon Ji is knocked straight out of the arena, this will sound harsh but.. he fails as Hanazawa Rui. (-_-;;) He's like a ghost, he's not there. He's too emo, he's not... Rui, I don't what character Yoon Ji is supposed to be but it is definitly not Hanazawa Rui. I've heard quite good things about Hua Ze Lei, and he ties a lot with Oguri Shun and often people have good arguments about him. I can't really say much (again because i have not really watched MG...) and with the Korean Rui out of the way.. Shun was the best for me. He played mysterious prince so well, although.. I don't know, I never really got an "autistic" vibe from him and at the beginning Shun might've been a bit too nice.

Overall Winner - Oguri Shun (becuase I don't know Hua Ze Lei very well)

(fromn here on out it will just be HYD vs BoF cause... yeah)

Soujiro/So Yi Jung
I think the Korean F4 is good (minus Rui). I really like them. I think they're funny and interesting and they get a long pretty well (or seem to at least). Overall So Yi Jung, I like him. Soujiro in the manga was a crazy flirt, charming ladies and what not and I think both version, K and J play Soujiro really well. I really can't decide whom I like better. As you don't really see Soujiro or So Yi Jung much.. I can't really say much about either but .. really. I can't decide.

Overall Winner - ????

Akira/Song Woo Bin
The only thing that gets me about Song Woo Bin is his freaking "gangster talk". Seriously, in episode one I felt like bashing his head. At first I laughed but after a while it's just sort of like "eh... no....." and I don't think he plays "group mother" well enough. I remember Akira as sort of being like... a "mother" if you shall with the F4. (sort of like Sakurai Sho and Arashi) and Akira in the Japanese version did that really well. You could really feel a sort of "mother" vibe coming off from Abe Tsuyoshi, but I don't get that from Song Woo Bin. It's something I think is vital, but yet again, you don't really see these two guys much either so I really hope Song Woo Bin will. you know. Change as the series goes by.

Overall Winner - ??? (slightly leaning towards TonTon)

Makino Family:
Okay.. I know this isn't a big deal, but the Korean Family really just annoys me to no end. I have to talk about them. A lot of people seem to love the Korean Makino's a lot and I don't see why. Maybe it's because I'm a firm J-drama fan but.. I really dislike the Korean version of the Makino Family. They just annoy me. I don't get the "warm, kind-loving family" vibe from them. All I see are two really annoying parents and a cute little brother. The parents annoy me, in the J-HYD the parents really cared for Tsukushi. Even if they did beg her to marry Domyouji and all that they still cared for her and their "Tama no Koshi etc.etc." things were amusing but in the K-Version it's too much. The way they constantly badger JanDi just.. annoys me. They don't seem like a loving, caring family at all. I think they come off as a bit too forceful for my taste.

Plot:
Okay. The story. I won't say much here because of course, BoF is not done yet, but I will talk about MG and HYD. Meteor Garden... too slow. I know, I never watched it but I have skimmed through episodes here and there .. and.. too  slow. This is often my issue with watching Kdramas. The reason I like JDramas is because they're so short, my attention and interest won't die. Even for BoF, when I realized it was 24 episodes I shrank away. MG I've read dragged, lots ... and... yeah. I've said before, I skip lots of scenes in the Kversion because I think the Korean story drags to much. (-_-;;) that's how fast I need to plot to move. The Jdrama speed is like, perfect speed in my opinion. Very fast, straight to the point. I can't stand drag. That's also why I stopped reading the manga, there were just... to many problems (^^;;)
There is one thing I would like to address about BoF, directly, about the plot and that is the plot twist at the beginning about how JanDi got into "Shinwa Academy" or whatever the school is called. I don't like it. I don't like the fact that Kaede offered her a place in the school. I like the idea of Makino getting into the school herself. I'm not saying it's because it makes JanDi look stupid but it.. somehow I think it makes things.. different. It gives Makino a different feel, because... JanDi stood up to the F4 because she was ignorant, but all the other Makino's stood up to F4 knowing she'd probably have hell to pay later. It's different correct?

Oh and I know I said I wanted to keep Korean Kaede but... now I can't decide who I want to keep xD I mean both Kaede's (J and K) look pretty mean and evil and what-not. Oh but keep Debi Ito-san as Nishida because... really the other K-Drama version, he's so not noticable and I like Nishida so much in HYD. *nod* He becomes an amusing character in HYD Returns.

Do I have anything else to address? The richness of the K/J Version is pretty good, you're really feeling the power. Although in the HYD you really feel the power from all the F4 where as in BoF ... I only feel the power from JunPyo. I don't think it's something I really approve of, but I think it might change later. (hopefully).

Oh. and Shizuka. Eh.. I don't like the korean version much. I don't know what to say about Tsubaki but I don't think anyone will ever beat the Japanese version.

...so yeah. I said at the beginning I was biased against the Japanese version - but I really was trying to be as unbiased as possible but considering I didn't even watch MG and BoF isn't over... what can I say? (^^;;)

Why did I write this? I was frustrated because so many people were saying how MG was better only because "Jerry Yan was so hot" and "It was first so it's the best" and the point where I finally snapped was when someone said Jun's acting was hollow. No offense, fine, you like MG more, understandable but.. you cannot, cannot, CANNOT compare Jun's acting the Jerry Yan's and do you know why? It's because they are a mile apart and guess who's ahead? It's not fricken Jerry Yan, it's Jun. Stop being superficial, H-O-T does NOT equal G-O-O-D >_>'

You may like BoF more (because hey, it's not bad), you may like MG more (because yes it was first) but... never, every give the reason of "looks" as a factor. *grumbles*

and I'm done.

The Fandom Chronicles #2 - Life Influence

Eh.. back again with "The Fangirl Chronicles"... my topic today? How Arashi influences my life. Why am I thinking about this... well... my friend wanted to watch a movie with me. He gave me two choices, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Gran Torino". You know which one I picked? The latter, do you know why? Because it had Clint Eastwood in it. Do you know the significance of this man to me? Well, if you're an Arashi fan, I think you can guess why xD

Yes. Clint Eastwood. He knows Nino. When the movie started, and I first saw him, I was like "This guy knows Ninomiya Kazunari.... o_o".

It sort of makes me wonder just how much these guys have started to influence my life. I've never gotten into a fandom so ... hard before. Like. When I listen to music, I've never actually once thought about buying an album. (^^;;) But with Arashi... I don't mind as much. It's like "Oooh... the actual single... *drool*" which is basically what happened to me in Hong Kong. I had a limited budget so I could only select a few Arashi things but it didn't stop me from just going "O_O".

Also. Arashi.. they made me start watching dramas. I will say this once, twice, a million times.. I don't really like watching dramas. But... if an Arashi member is in it.. sure, why not, I'll give it a try. I get giddy over the most... retarded things. I think about such random thoughts. I asked my mom if we could microwave a watermelon after watching Arashi do it in "Arashi no Shukudai-kun" and my mom lectured me about how I shouldn't trust TV or crazy Japanese boy bands. (^^;;) My defense was "But mom, I've seen them spit food out when it tastes bad, trust me, I know when the food is good and bad"... she gave me a look like I was an idiot. xD Yeah. I'm weird like that. But hey, Watermelons are my favourite fruit, I really wanted to try. ....

See, there you go. Normally I'm a rational person... keyword - normally. *sigh*

Yeah. Arashi is starting to rule my life completely. xD

I don't mind though - away from fangirling - Gran Torino is a good movie. I really enjoyed it. In fact, it's a wonderful movie and I order people to go watch it now. >_> *glares* It had a good mixture of seriousness, and I mean a good mixture. Clint Eastwood is an awesome director/actor. I can't believe this movie didn't get nominated for an Oscar. Jesus christ.. Batman only got 1. What's with the Oscars? Just cause Brad Pitt is in a stupid movie doesn't mean it's fricken "good" (you can tell I just love Brad Pitt huh?). Blah. My slice of pie about a movie - I might do a full on review about it later... here.

The Fandom Chronicles #1 - Senpai vs Kouhai?

There are times when I start contemplating random things about Arashi like the members personalities or why I like them so much more than any other group and sometimes I really just want to write these thoughts down because they're interesting and I want to remember them. I will label these "thoughts" the Fandom Chronicles because they won't be limited to just Arashi but my overall interest in the "Johnny's Entertainment Fandom"

So. Senpai groups VS Kouhai groups

Finally after about a year of being into Arashi, I, like many others, have of course gotten into other Johnny’s Entertainment groups as well. What I’ve noticed about me and other fangirl’s though, is that while other fangirl’s fall in love with NewS and KATTUN I have for some odd reason flown over to the Senpai groups instead. These Senpai groups are of course, TOKIO, V6, and Kinki Kids.

So, I wonder, why did I lean towards the Senpai groups, the older groups when I am so incredibly young? You’d think it’s more sensible that a younger fandom member like me would lean towards the youngest of the group of boys but instead I lean towards the older.

Is it strange…? I wonder.

What is even stranger is the fact that I cannot get into the Kouhai groups at all, and it makes me think. Is there something different between the Senpai and Kouhai groups that make the big difference? Or is it something else?

Johnny’s Countdown is like, the video for me to pick up other groups. I heard Garasu no Shounen from Kinki Kids and fell in love with them immediately, downloading their entire discography in one go. I heard Sorafune from TOKIO and downloaded their entire discography in one go. I fell in love with Way of Life from V6 and downloaded their entire discography right away. Then I heard KATTUN’s White X’mas and I love this song so much… but I don’t download KATTUN’s entire discography. I don’t get ever single album/single of theirs. All I do is get that one song and that’s it.

For NewS, ~Kibou~Yell! Is a wonderful song. I love it so much. I only download that one song and I stop there. I do not go onto Jpopsuki and search out every single album/single I’m missing; I just stop at that one song. So I wonder, what I the difference? What makes me download entire discographies in one go and what stops me?

Is it the music that is better? No, it can’t be. I mean, I’ve listened to White X’mas just as much as Way of Life and I’m telling you, I love both songs so much it’s a bit scary.

The only conclusion that I could come up with was that maybe it was because the Senpai groups were closer. Then I realized that idea was completely off because I didn’t know a thing about Kinki Kids, or TOKIO or V6 when I downloaded their discographies. Even now, I know more about NewS and KATTUN than the Senpai groups yet I show no interest in them. Kame, Jin, Yamapi, I’m sorry, not interested in them at all.

I’m thinking it’s because the Senpai groups aren’t as big of competition when it comes to other fangirls. What do I mean? I mean, the NewS and KATTUN fandom are large and you see the fangirls everywhere but you don’t see Kinki Kids or TOKIO or V6 fangirls everywhere now do you? Or not as much anyways. Not me anyways. Even if they are largely popular (especially Kinki Kids) you rarely see their fans, of if someone is a V6 fan it is only on the side. On the main they are a NewS or KATTUN fan and then maybe even an Arashi fan.

But.

It’s still a bit strange isn’t it? I mean, I fall in love with a song of theirs and then I’m not interested in any other.

When I fell in love with Arashi I also only fell in love with one song. Love so Sweet and downloaded their entire discography, but then, I didn’t even know what Johnny’s Entertainment was. Hell, I didn’t even like music that much then. But I still did it, I still downloaded their entire discography.

So what is stopping me with the Kouhai groups? Or at least... the groups younger than Arashi.

It really bugs me in a way because I sort of… want to get into them, but I also cannot. I can’t really explain, like, I want to like NewS, I want to like KATTUN but I just naturally don’t seem to like them.

Oh and my reason for not mentioning Tackey and Tsubasa? I was into them for about a day but they’re not really high priority. Why do I not mention K8? Because I straight out just don’t like this group of guys (with the exception of Ryo), they piss me off to no end. Why do I not mention HSJ? You’d think I would like these guys, after all, they are definitely a lot closer to my age range but … it feels awkward. They seem a bit to young for me to be idolizing them. I don’t idolize people in my own age range, I find it awkward. It’s like salivating over someone in my own high school, not cool.

NewS and KATTUN are in the same age range as Arashi though, so you’d think I’d enjoy them, after all their music isn’t half bad. (Not that I’ve given much of a music a try…) but that’s the point! I’m not interested in giving their music a try even if I fall in love with one of their songs. I mean. I love White X’mas a lot more than any Arashi, Kinki Kids or TOKIO song at the moment but I’m not spazzing about KATTUN, I’m still very apathetic towards them. It’s almost like a “oh, they’re okay” and then I drop them off the cliff.

NewS is even stranger. I like half the members of NewS. Yamapi, Ryo and Massu. I like these guys, you’d think if I like 3 members of a band that I’d give a try and listen to their music but no. That obviously does not happen.

So it’s strange.

I really wonder if there is a difference between the Senpai and Kouhai groups that makes me lean towards one end than the other.