K-Pop still alive in Korea

Call me strange, weird, or whatever you want, but it fascinates me that the people of Korea still love their pop groups. I wonder why it is still successful here, and not in America? The days of boy bands and girl groups have long died out with the exception of a few like the Pussycat Dolls, and the attempted failed comeback of the Backstreet Boys. Who can forget that...well, I have so let's move on.

World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia claims the phenomenon came about in the 1930's with heavy influence from the Japanese, with later modern influences coming from the Americans stationed in South Korea. Today some artists have come to America with their music releasing english versions of their albums. One artists that has been successful in doing so is BOA. This genre of music to me seems to be leaning on the side up very upbeat dance music, or as some would say"bubblegum pop".

It doesn't matter where I go to in South Korea I can always hear one of these songs. The most popular groups that have stood out to me while being here would be T-ara, and Brown Eyed Girls or 2ne1 that's (21) not 2 any 1. Tonight at the chow hall, a woman working the register was listening to a song by T-ara. This goes to show you that this genre isn't just for the younger generation, not that she was old, maybe late 20's, just not your target audience for this type of genre I would think. At least back in the states, by that age you would have grown to a more mature taste in music.

So wether it is the catchy lyrics and beats that draw you in, or the hot girls singing who knows, but this music doesn't appear to be dying out anytime soon. But will it have the same fate as it did in America, or is this just a fad? Only time will tell, but for now just go with it and have fun. I included a poll because I was curious as to what you thought. haha. This was very random, but I felt like writing about it, because it really does baffle me!

"Actually, I'm Japanese." said the mysterious woman in the elevator.

The new year started out right. Me and my good friends packed up our bags and headed to Seoul to make what was sure to be a night never to be forgotten; and it was! It would probably be one of the best New Years to date, but I have loved all the previous ones too of course. But one thing was different about this year, it was that I was in SEOUL! A once in a lifetime chance, and what better way to celebrate then getting a suite at probably the nicest hotel ever. The Hyatt at Seoul Park was a hotel not meant for young men who want to get drunk and loud. I definately felt out of my element when staying here, and way underdressed. First off, a hotel who puts their lobby on the 24th floor is already a fancy place, then to have staff member escort you to your room is another key to letting you know it's got class. Oh, did I mention you used your room key in the elevator to get to your floor;amazing right. You would hold it next to the wall and then your floor number would light up. Here's another tip that we weren't meant to be there, when there was no ice machine, and you were told to call room service so they can bring you ice, what?!? I was impressed, that was until the Japanese woman in the elevator let me politely know that she wasn't Korean when I tried to thank her. That was the last time I try to speak the native language. I couldn't believe I just said that, and meanwhile my friend just looked at me like "WTF, did you really just say that?"

Our suite would have made Miley Cyrus jealous, ok maybe not her but Billy Ray for sure. This was the nicest room ever! It had a living room a bedroom, then a hallway with a bathroom and shower at the end of it. If it seems as if I keep going on about this hotel, it is because it truely is an experience not to be passed up, if it's in your budget. Split between four guys it was certainly in mine, which I'm still waiting on payments from them, but I won't get into that. Once things got settled we were out on the town for one crazy night that included Soju, local Koreans at a bar, and the New Year.

The night went great, but me feeling like the father type and the "That's not a good idea" started kicking in so I called it a night and went back to relax in the room, afterall I didn't pay this much for a room and not use it! Before I left, I made sure the guys were ok, and would be able to make it back, and I told them how I felt about the situation, and apologized, and they were understanding and I went back. I am truely greatful for the friends God has blessed me with, I wouldn't ask for any thing else. I throughly enjoyed the spa like treatment that was provided in the room. After my long hot shower I relaxed on the couch with some good Korean tv, luckily I found a movie in English, so I watched that until I passed out. I awoke only to find somebody was missing...

Long story short, we found him the next afternoon!! After a big sigh of relief and some shopping at the COEX and running into some other friends, we headed back home. This was an experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else.

It is now February and time truely does fly. I was thinking how does time "Fly". Each day has the same amount of hours, and the same amount of weeks in a year, but yet somehow it seems to pass you by, and before you know it; it's gone. I hit my one year mark of being in the military on 28DEC09. My life is a lot different than it was the previous year. I wouldn't change the way things have gone. God had a plan, and this is all part of it. I love it and I love him. But as the saying goes, "time flies, when you're having fun" I guess 2009 I was having the time of my life because it seems like a blurr looking back upon it, for all the things I've done and accomplished, and all the people I have met. 2009 was an amazing year! So I say bring it on 2010, I am ready for you and what you may put in fron of me. I know I will meet more amazing people, and travel to even more amazing places, but hey, only time will tell right?