2013 stans: A year-ender post
First post for 2014... Happy new year everyone!
Even if the Chinese New Year isn't the same with ours, in the Chinese Zodiac 2014 is the year of the horse. So... HAPPY YEAR OF THE HORSE!!! (and Tama-chan's year kyaaaaa~)
I've decided to make a year-ender post just because. XD With the things that happened in my life and in my country (most are sad things, unfortunately), fandom was what I held on to; it was where I drew strength and inspiration. It's only reasonable to make a compilation of the things which made me happy last 2013. ♥
A fangirl at heart, things to love are just a grasp away. We all know that NEWS is my main fandom and it never changed for the past years, but life has its little surprises and new interests emerge as well!
This post is about my fandom life in the year twenty thirteen; the new things, the improvements, the adventures, as well as the usual and the good, tried and tested; the orthodox.
THE NEW (YES, AND NOT NEWS)
KARA
It was them who I was with when 2013 started. I can still remember my first KARA-caused tears when I watched their KARASIA 2013 HAPPY NEW YEAR CONCERT IN TOKYO DOME! It was the time I totally realized that I loved the group. I wrote in my diary that July 2012 was the start of my Kamilia journey, but it was only Jan. 2013 when I finally gave my heart into it. Into them.
Astrology
Astrology isn't a fandom, but I'm a huge fan. Thanks to the intriguing heavenly bodies, the curious Gemini and the creative Pisces in me totally caught off the hook. I studied astrology almost every night, now I have a fair knowledge of "how the stars influence your life". (Kyaaaa~ I love that tagline.)
Kis-My-Ft2
I know. Unexpected, I know!! If it wasn't for erikz_16's influence... No, if it wasn't for TAMA-CHAN's cutesy pout and eccentric ways and ftw acting (now I'm being biased here LOL), I wouldn't even notice the group. The things that made me want to stick to them though were the catchy songs and high-cost PVs. Addictive to the ears and awesome to watch, now I know why Kisumai is one of J&A powerhouse today. (don't get me wrong, every Johnny's group has a strong image and a big fanbase, but Kisumai is one of the fresh and cool groups that fans of other groups reverently go to--and that's just my observation.)
(There are other new things to be seen on "THE REST OF" part of the post (put them there 'coz this section contains my 'major' fandoms while the rest of contain the minor ones/flings/likes or whatever you call it haha)
THE UNFORGETTABLE
Aside from the newborn stans, what specific events (concerning my fandoms) happened this year?
Sayonara ni Sayonara + Neko Chuudoku: the two month release gap that rarely happens in the life of NEWS
SnS was released in March while NC in May (coincide with my birthday!). It was obviously in a fast two-month period, so some expected that TM would also release an album or hold a concert this 2013. It didn't happen (it was to give way to NEWS Live Tour 2013 and 10VE ANNIVERSARY), but at least we get to hear Tegomass' lovely voices again. Not to mention the Neko Chuudoku PVs are... Drugs. *_*
Nicole leaving KARA
I don't want to describe the thing anymore. You can read my written thoughts here.
Koki removed from KAT-TUN
And you know what? It happened 5 days after DSP announced the news about Nicole. Try to guess the devastation in me.
10VE ANNIVERSARY
It was on Sept. 15, Chankapaanas' most celebrated day yet. Although the fan event was held earlier (Sept. 7), on the exact date there was this feat NEWS was the first to achieve: the 24-hour special streaming of their performance of Ai no Kotoba, the anniversary song which the members themselves composed, on the JE website. On the start of the almost 6-minute video was NEWS sending out their greetings, and telling about the feat they have made. "...We're the first in Johnny's..." Then the heartwarming performance video of Ai no Kotoba. It didn't move me to tears as NEWS always does, but the song became my favorite.
Multilingual Johnny's net
Dear Mr. Kitagawa, we can't read your mind so we don't want to expect, but is the innovation of your website the start of Johnny's 'globalisation'? No one really knows for sure. In the meantime, the non-Japanese fans are happy. Thanks for giving us a taste of closeness to you and your agency by doing this simple act.
Damaged Lady
Damaged Lady was KARA's Korean comeback album. Not as phenomenal as MR., not as grand as STEP, and not as mystical as Pandora--in short, not as catchy as the previous hits, but Damaged Lady brought a new edge to KARA. The music was diversified, also the MV. Not my favorite song but the MV was the best for me!
THE BEST OF~
Okay, so 2013 was a happy and tough year at the same time. But if I'm gonna compile the BEST things that had happened in relation to me being a fangirl, well here they are.
UtsuCon DVD
The beautiful love is finally there to watch.
~Utsukushii koi ni suru yo~ concert was one of the 'main' things that happened in 2012, so UtsuCon in DVD released in 2013 was like heaven to a starving earth (LOL Leya your metaphors are getting worse! :p). In other words, this was what the fans have been ultimately waiting for... Because this DVD was the conclusion of the grand comeback period of 4-nin NEWS, and the transition to 10VE ANNIVERSARY (which was pioneered by NEWS album).
I haven't know anyone who did not cry watching this concert. *if you are the exception, tell me~* Be it true-blue Chankapaana or people who occasionally flail over NEWS, they say that UtsuCon is NEWS' best concert so far: Emotionally-fulfilling & visually fulfilling (hooray at flying NEWS, the stage, the set, and Tegoshi's bra!), this 3-hr con never bores the fangirl out of us.
My birthday is Neko Chuudoku day!
May 22 that is. Neko Chuudoku, or Tegomass' most recent single, is one bundle of cuteness and of course, catness. Arguably their best PV. Certainly a masterpiece (did you know that the song is an adaptation of a Dutch song? Click here to watch the original version and some story behind the Japanese version as well.)
Ai no Kotoba ~te wo hiite~
Simply means, "Words of Love ~take out the 'te'~. What's in this song? It's as equally important as Share. The group's one of the many 10th anniversary dedication to us, this song is somehow a tell-all: A slice of history, lots of symbolic representations, some wordplay, and a promise of a happier future. And no, it doesn't sound cliché. It's unique because just listening to the lyrics you'll know it's NEWS.
Ai no Kotoba, by personal reasons, became my favorite NEWS ballad of 'em all. (A post was written about the song's impact on me, and heck it was my deepest/most emotional/wisest post ever; thanks to this song!) All I want now is for this to be included in a single or album IMMEDIATELY. But first things first, Tegomass' activities are what to look forward to in early 2014. *oops, spoiler*
KARA's French Kiss
Their last single for 2013. And the last PV with Nicole in it. So what made this included in my Best Of list?
I never expected the single to be good for my tastes. First of all, with the tension of Nicole leaving the agency, how could they still manage to produce a single? Would it be decent enough?
Yes. I loved it. The a-side French Kiss, a Christmas song, fitted well for the occasion--and my musical preference. The b-side Girlfriend is pretty as well, and not to mention, relatable. Catchy and medium-paced! (whoa this has become a mini review orz)
Tegoshi attending KARA concert
Definitely unforgettable for me! I don't know someone who stans NEWS and KARA the same way that I do... This being said, the blurry papapic of Tegoshi amidst the Kamilias watching the October 9 concert at Yokohama Arena was something I-swear-to-you-I-almost-died-of-happiness event. Until now I still smile excessively when I think of it.
Kis-My-world! (my newest fandom, Kis-My-Ft2)
I have so much to say in here. Fyi, Kisumai was one of the Johnny's groups I never had an interest in. (I was actually more interested in Sexy Zone even though I despise younger boys *in my fandoms, at least!*). The story of how I got to know the group and its boys was by a mere influence, but how I came to like them is a work of Kisumai itself, and not by any other fan.
My Kisumai ranking (as of January 2014)
1. Tama
2./3. Miyacchi/Taipi
4. Nikaido
5. Mitsu
6./7. Kenpi/Yokoo
*The ties I cannot choose!*
My Kisumai fandom started on the last month of 2013. As the year changes the ever-active Kisumai will have great stuff here and there; this I see is much to keep me interested and have heart-shaped eyes looking at them. Who knows, Kisumai may be a long-term love~ *sings Taipi's Love Meeee*
THE REST OF
Other things and fandoms that caught my attention!
Lee Ji Eun otherwise known as IU
This sweet darling is one of Korea's "little sister" they say. I agree with them. Right now IU is one of my fave Korean girls, and guess what... One of my all-time fave female singers! Yes, she's in line with Demi, Beyoncé and Hayley Williams. And though I'm not updated with her releases, my liking does not fade.
Why do I like her is an understatement; why do I love her is a question I secretly want someone to ask me. She's an idol but her music genre is different. Think of Tegomass compared to the rest of JE. And her singing style is similar to Tegoshi's. (An unbiased opinion, because why would I even want someone similar to my ichiban if I have my ichiban already? LOL)
E-girls
I'm not a fan of the group, I'm fan of the songs. And ate Jae said it's alright. Unfortunately too many members make me lazy. But listening to their hits is something I never tire of.
miss A
"You don't know me, you don't know me, so shut up boy." The catch of their empowering songs is magnetic. Somebody recommended me miss A before but it's a shame I didn't bother to know about them... Not until 2013, when Bad Girl Good Girl's irresistible hook got me LSS for weeks!
Demi Lovato
Non JPop or KPop, but nevertheless a big addition to my last year stans. I love this woman. So much. And 2013 has a lot of proof for that.
Demi is one of my long-time faves (liked her longer than NEWS), but I didn't really follow her. Knowing much more of her roots, her downfall and eventually rising higher than ever to success was one of the things I did, and it was a way to embrace not only her music but she as an artist; as a person. She's inspirational.
L'arc~en~ciel + ONE OK ROCK
Going to the rock side, shall we? These two bands are integral part of my year of crossing genres and/or exploring styles. Besides, Laruku's vocalist Hyde (I call him 'daddy'!) is one of Tegoshi's admired singers and a good friend; OOR's Taka is a former member of NEWS. I like them not because of the ties though. Their voices are awesome so is their music!
2013 IN CONCLUSION
The year, for me, was a year of exploration and new dimensions. If I made a 2012 year-ender most probably it would only contain NEWS; 2013, on the other hand was a year full of new things and fandoms.
Besides that, it was also the year of loving collective things; for example, Johnny & Associates. I never felt this way about the WHOLE J&A before. In the past, I loved the company because of NEWS. Now, I love it because of the company itself! Another thing is fan fiction. I got addicted to it. In the past I read a few and write very few, but now I read and write at almost every opportunity.
Lastly, 2013 wasn't purely a happy year, even in the fandom sense. There were bad and sad news. Crying was inevitable. Scandals, issues, member withdrawals, even friends' withdrawals from fandom (I've personally witnessed some of that). But we can only hope for a more prosperous 2014. What's in store... There are things we know and are about to know. Just believe in the words our idols say. That's what we have to do as fans anyway.
Akemashite omedetou :D
