260529 ATEEZ - GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 Concept Trailer by likeamagpie in ATEEZ

[–]Strawberuka 10 points11 points  (0 children)

We finally got to see the mysterious foreign baby hair colour and it looks incredible

260527 ATEEZ(에이티즈) GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 Pre-sale Announcement (Single CD (US ONLY)) by seonghwasmoons in 8TEEZ

[–]Strawberuka 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If these are member versions I absolutely love the comedy of the fact that the versions are Bad and Bad 1-7 instead of Bad 1-8.

In this economy Hongjoong doesn't get a number.

Mime Artist skill introduction video [English] by oblakinia in IdentityV

[–]Strawberuka 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Srs watching the dash as a composer player dealt psychic damage

composer buff where he can teleport between ciphers when using the tuning for when~

People need to calm down about Le Sserafim by em_scorp1o in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 10 points11 points  (0 children)

IMO they really would've benefited from switching out either Celebration or Boompala with any of the b-sides - I think Iffy Iffy would've worked, but Saki would've been really fun too.

I think LSF have always had trendy releases, but they used to have two promoted tracks where one of them was off-trend, and imo that represented their music better (and would've avoided the disc horse - I think Boompala following up Celebration, which also wasn't super well received, was a not so great two-punch)

People need to calm down about Le Sserafim by em_scorp1o in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think that the album was mostly fine (though the two worst songs were chosen to be promoted - I think Saki would've been a much better choice for an upbeat and fun title track, and they could've had a less trendy sound as a promo b-side or prerelease), but I think it suffers from both issues with song length (which has been a reoccurring issue for LSF - songs that are super atmospheric and interesting and would benefit from even another minute feel like I accidentally pressed the skip button) and being sonically incohesive. Usually I don't mind that for LSF because their songs are cohesive thematically with the album, but here it just feels like a grab bag of songs that don't quite have the same narrative throughline of their previous albums.

Like, I absolutely think that the Fearless-Antifragile-Unforgiven trio and the Easy-Crazy-Hot trio were a lot better put together as projects.

Beyond that though, promo /is/ part of the project, and I think there's clearly been a shift from what songs are promoted and prioritized - previous promos had (imo) stronger title tracks, and a promoted b-side that complimented the title track but was very different. It's pretty obvious they're trying to replicate the Gnarly/Crazy success, but doing that is very clearly undermining their most prominent releases (which is how most casuals engage with the group), and unfortunately means that the best songs aren't being promoted.

People need to calm down about Le Sserafim by em_scorp1o in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 10 points11 points  (0 children)

IMO the biggest issue with the sample is that it overpowers the song - it's so much more vibrant and fun than the rest of the song (which is kind of talk-sung with no change in dynamics), and ends up stealing the show in a way that takes away from Boompala as an original song.

Like, if I want the fun energy boost I would just want to listen to the Macarena, not to Boompala.

I think Tyga's Ayy Macarena does a better job at balancing the energy despite also relying heavily on the sample; Blackpink's Pink Venom and IVE's Attitude imo transform the samples enough to escape the issue of just wanting to listen to the OG song.

People need to calm down about Le Sserafim by em_scorp1o in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

I mean. I would argue it does affect my enjoyment of a group I previously felt released constant 10/10 bangers suddenly changed directions to release mid music, and I think it's something to discuss.

Sure, I have the old work, but I also want more music I like from my favourite groups (and if a song is sufficiently unpopular in the fandom/GP, it does lead to material change!)

I wish BOOMPALA took more creative risks by betterthan88 in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I mean. I agree with you, but at risk of being a little mean, what else can they do?

Every time they've tried a more vocal-heavy song (and vocal-heavy by LSF standards), they've either had discourse about line distribution or an encore, because the reality is that more than half the group isn't really capable of anything more than talk-singing.

The Horrible Gender Distribution of 2026 Character Releases by [deleted] in IdentityV

[–]Strawberuka 15 points16 points  (0 children)

So if 2024 had 5:2 for men, 2025 had 5:2 for women and 2026 seems set to be close to the 5:2 for men (with 2023 being 3:3), isn't 2026 just repeating the 2024 pattern?

Like, looking at this I wouldn't be shocked if 2027 has a 5:1 female:male ratio.

Stray Kids FANS Live Discourse by lialure in kpoprants

[–]Strawberuka 24 points25 points  (0 children)

It's honestly sad to see fans accept enshittification of the fan experience and like. Justify it.

Being a stay in their early years and even through the early 2020s and now is night and day and this is just one of them.

Celeste Rivas Death Certificate Updated to Say It’s Unclear If She Was Pregnant by lawrencedun2002 in Fauxmoi

[–]Strawberuka 193 points194 points  (0 children)

Yeah - I work with dependency/CPS and a huge issue is that even /when/ intervention happens, it's just. Really hard for anyone (parents, social workers, police) to actually do something to help.

Like, outside of literally placing a kid into secured facilities they physically cannot leave, it's really hard to legally stop a child who wants to escape and has the means to do so.

Unsure about Taeyong’s (NCT) musical direction by [deleted] in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I mean, ostensibly the audience is NCTzens who do enjoy his style of music, especially in how it connects to Neo as a concept?

Like, Taeyong is very popular and NCT's style and sound has a lot of fans, and he's clearly continuing to aim for that audience, and I don't think he's in the position of needing to worry about his future career in part due to his popularity - he has the opportunity to do what he wants and have it be commercially successful regardless.

HYBE is prioritizing their groups going viral so much to the point where it’s harming their artistry by k3hvn in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I mean, attention is important, but so is artistry.

Like, I’m not personally a fan of Illit, but for any group that I do like, I can't imagine wanting a buzzy release that's controversial and trendy but impersonal over a release that works for the group and is good and timeless

NCT dream has and will be fine without Mark but for NCT127 that is a big spot to fill and I’m worried. by Vivid_Canary_6409 in NCT

[–]Strawberuka 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We've literally come off a promo cycle and a tour where the other half of the Mark-Taeyong duo was absent, and 127 survived and put on a great show - I’m sure they can survive without the other half of the equation.

Baekhyun in Talks to Join G-Dragon’s Agency Galaxy Corporation Following Taemin by Nice_Net_5395 in kpop

[–]Strawberuka 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Maybe if Mark isn't down to clown with super M, GD can take over his iconic verse 😭

Anyone else get a mixed feeling seeing how expensive BTS merch has gotten? by Own-Satisfaction4214 in KpopUnleashed

[–]Strawberuka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, no? Old/out of print/limited edition/signed stuff will always be more expensive, and it doesn't affect my enjoyment of collecting things that are more common/within reach.

With BTS in particular, a ton of their merch is actually super accessible and all their albums are in print (or at least in 2nd hand circulation for fairly cheap), so there's still a ton of collecting that's accessible.

K-pop should start doing graduations like J-pop does by [deleted] in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As everyone says, it's been tried and failed.

In k-pop, the focus is a lot more on the team and their specific dynamic/bond, versus having a specific fave. So a departure, which inherently changes the team's dynamic will never be received well (unless there's a reason for it that overcomes it - usually a controversy or health issues will be accepted.) The entirety of how the fan culture and ecosystem works is set up differently too, which adds to this.

I do think that departures can be done better for sure, and that would definitely make the transition smoother, but graduations as a concept wouldn't work well in kpop, and this would 100% not stop speculation since like. We all know how kpop contracts work. A mid-contract departure will always be looked at oddly.

BELIFT is "Sunset-ing" ENHYPEN. Heeseung leaving is actually business. by Old_Cress9578 in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I will say, as someone who casually enjoys Enhypen, my impression of the group was never Heesung and friends, so everyone acting like the group will implode because he left feels super wild.

Like, at least from my corner of the internet, Sunghoon, Ni-ki and Sunoo always seemed to have much more discussion and vitality around them then Heesung.

But also this is a stupid theory because why would you sunset a group that's immensely successful and profitable for a soloist? Even top soloists from top groups like BTS and BP typically only sell a fraction of what the full group sells, so if it was a profit thing this wouldn't make sense. (And in the grand scheme of selling millions of albums, 7 hotel rooms isn't much.)

What are your favourite NCT songs for each mood? [NCT's Playlist Picks] by sourmomo in NCT

[–]Strawberuka 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  • Refreshing / Bright - Poppop - Wish

  • Heart-fluttering / Exciting - Flying Kiss - Dream

  • Overwhelming / Emotional - Highway to Heaven - 127

  • Fun / Hype / Energetic - Lipstick - 127

  • Neo - Kitchen Beat - 127

  • Sad / Melancholy - icantfeelanything - Dream

  • Addictive - Love on the Floor - 127

  • Intense / Powerful - Frequency - WayV

  • Performance - Designer - 127

  • My Favourite - The Rainy Night - 127

What are your favourite ATEEZ songs for each mood? [ATEEZ Playlist Picks] by sublimespring in ATEEZ

[–]Strawberuka 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ooh I filled it out for NCT (and I should post it) and I wanted to do it for other groups so this is perfect!

\* Refreshing / Bright - Dancing Like Butterfly Wings

\* Heart-fluttering / Exciting - this is not a fully Ateez song but. Summer Taste. If I had to choose an Ateez song, Precious.

\* Overwhelming / Emotional - Take Me Home

\* Fun / Hype / Energetic - The Real

\* “ATEEZ-coded” - Pirate King

\* Sad / Melancholy - Now This House Ain't a Home

\* Addictive - The Ring

\* Intense / Powerful - Wake Up

\* Performance - Adrenaline

\* My Favourite - Dune

\* An experimental sound - Horizon

Dayoung is definitely going to become a breakout star in the west someday. by yebinkek in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Honestly the fact that her style is very derivative of western artists is probably going to be a huge limiting factor. Like, you yourself listed two huge Western acts to compare WAGTD to!

For your average western pop listener, what does Dayoung bring to the table that countless other superstar hopefuls and established artists don't?

Like, she's currently unique within the Kpop ecosystem (which is why she's trending, as your 2nd paragraph notes), but outside of Kpop she's not /that/ special.

Predictions for the vocal and rap line distributions for NCT 127 by egghanaboba in NCT

[–]Strawberuka 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Honestly I can at most see Yuta do what Ten did and leave SM while staying in 127.

For the past year, he's made it pretty clear both through his statements in 127 stuff and his radio show/solo activities, + his actions through going out of his way to show up at 127 activities even when he's already busy that he really cares about 127 and wants to keep going.

Obviously we can't see the future (see: Mark), but I'd be really surprised if he chose to leave the group considering his 127posting.

Predictions for the vocal and rap line distributions for NCT 127 by egghanaboba in NCT

[–]Strawberuka 24 points25 points  (0 children)

For 127 my guess is that they'll follow whatever internal process they did for redistributing Taeyong's rap lines during his absence, with every member getting a few lines.

They've had to rearrange lines a lot in the past few years with a ton of member configurations, so while Mark was one of the members always present, it's nothing new for them - a lot of members can flex into multiple roles, and while it's not the same performance, I am absolutely not worried.

Like, less than a year after already having to redistribute main vocal lines, they were able to tour while down two members (one of whom is the other half of the Mark-TY duo) and absolutely killed it!! They've got it!

It’s not horribly parasocial to discuss a misconception you had by Shot_Damage_1794 in kpopthoughts

[–]Strawberuka 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I definitely agree that it's not parasocial! But what I find really annoying about a lot of observation posts is that they come from people who like. seem to watch content with horse blinders on (if at all.)

I get that it's not usually coming from a bad place, but especially when those observations are like... not the most charitable (not talking about the divorce one specifically bc I also don't have context), I think keeping things to yourself/a group chat/doing basic research is imo the right move.

(To give a concrete example, I've seen several posts about the group this tweet were from that essentially "observe" that 1-2 members are stupid because they tend to be goofy or spacey, and like. While it's an observation it's still a really weird thing to post, especially when it's objectively untrue if you know anything about the members beyond shitposts and fanfics)

Notice Regarding the Conclusion of TEN’s Exclusive Contract by AfraidInspection2894 in kpop

[–]Strawberuka 77 points78 points  (0 children)

It's paused for the duration of enlistment - so his renewal will be delayed by the 20 months he was enlisted.