Saturday, November 19, 2011

Headline! K-Pop Conversion Army Spotted. All Women Urged to Seek Shelter.

So, I decided yesterday to convert my best friend to the K-Pop cult, since I want to have someone to talk with about it. And after having a blast writing the... document that went with the playlist I created for her, I decided it was too much fun to not share with everyone. So, the following is the seven page document, 2 1/2 hour adventure for your enjoyment. Have fun laughing and becoming converted. Be sure to spread the love.

Note: This is tailored for Balgram, so it had Japanese in it. Just so you are aware.


Your instructions are as follows:

Make sure you have 2 1/2 hours of free time, or split the list into thirds; 1-10, 11-20, 21-30.
Follow the link provided. But don't do anything there yet. Go back to the document.
Read the first paragraph. Then read number one and it's paragraph.
Go back to the link. Click play all. Make sure the autoplay is OFF.
When the video is done playing, go back to the document and read number two.
Proceed to the next video. Continue like this, reading first then watching, until you come to the end.
Read the last two paragraphs.
Report back on whether the war was won or not.






ATTN: The following is classified ABOVE TOP SECRET and is for EYES ONLY.  Burn after reading.

The following is a YouTube playlist created for Balgram by her little sister Noble, in an effort to convert her to the widening world of K-Pop, despite her deep entrenchment in Japanese culture. A lot of time was spent going through and picking the perfect soldiers to create this K-Pop Conversion Army, and a lot of thought went into the order in which the videos appear. If this army fails in its mission, all hope will be lost for the individual Balgram, and Noble will suffer in misery, unable to communicate with her older sister on every aspect of her life, as she wishes. So it is with a determined, do-or-die attitude that Noble sends this army on its way.  ^-^



1.       Super Junior – Bonamana*

a.       We start out this battle with the video that started it all. Noble didn’t get completely entrenched in the K-Pop culture until after she saw this video, and it’s not hard to see why. From the powerful vocals to the mesmerizing dancing, everything about the thirteen member group, minus a few in this particular video spoke to Noble on a deep level. Since first watching this video Noble has learned all the members names and can now name them on sight, but she certainly doesn’t expect the same from Balgram, so don’t worry too much.

2.       Big Bang – Beautiful Hangover (J)*

a.       Following immediately after is a much smaller group attacking with a powerful song, the first in half a dozen songs strategically places throughout the army. These songs, this one included, are particularly important to the battle, because they utilize Balgram’s own defense against her, combining the power of the Hot Korean Men with the Japanese language. By using the Korean band singing in Japanese, Noble hopes to entice Balgram enough for her to unconsciously search out other songs by the band, inevitably leading her to more soldiers in the K-Pop Army that didn’t get a chance to participate in this particular battle.

3.       U-KISS – Neverland*

a.       Following quickly after is the latest song by Noble’s most favorite group. A lot of screaming was involved when she first saw it, soon after being released from her K-Pop free imprisonment in Texas. This group in particular has a special place in Noble’s heart because two of the seven members are from the Noble’s homeland. She sends this soldier in to battle, trusting that the irresistibleness of the group and its international stars will enthrall Balgram and leave her wanting more.

4.       TVXQ – Rising Sun (J)

a.       Next on the list of fighters is one of the most popular groups in Korean singing a Japanese version of an older song of theirs.  This soldier has a specific goal in mind, because as a remake of a Korean song, Balgram will get a taste of the group in her own language, then immediately be drawn into the Korean version. Noble believes that, because this video isn’t as powerful as the others on her fight list, Balgram will be able to see how much better the Korean’s really are. The vocals are strong, as they always are with this group that is not together anymore, however the video itself is questionable, especially compared with the original.

5.       TVXQ – Rising Sun*

a.       After the weaker soldier sent in to distract Balgram, Noble follows through with the incredibly powerful original version. This soldier has been very important to Noble, inspiring a story which in turn inspired the creation of a singular world that Noble calls her own. While Noble realizes that not everyone will be able to appreciate the creative power behind this video—and maybe even the video itself—she sends this soldier into battle, despite knowing that it might end up a casualty in the battle. She risks one of her most precious soldiers because she believes the beauty and power of the song and video will move Balgram closer to where Noble wants her to be.

6.       Beast/B2ST – Shock (J)

a.       Continuing the pattern, Noble sends in the next on her fight list, a new Japanese remake of an older song. Noble is almost ashamed to admit that she likes this version better than the original version, but it isn’t hard to see why. With a more mature group, more powerful dancing and vocals, and a fabulous combination of English, Korean, and Japanese all wrapped into one mega song, it will be hard for Balgram to resist the urge to move. Noble notes that the rap parts of the song are in Korean, while the verses are in Japanese and some of the chorus is in English. Just in case there is any confusion.

7.       Beast/B2ST – Shock*

a.       The original version of the previous soldier is sure to draw Balgram deeper into K-Pop territory, away from her supposed safety in Japanese culture. With music and visuals incredibly similar to the Japanese version, Balgram will find herself almost unable to tell the difference. In fact, the similarities will leave Balgram’s head spinning, unable to tell what is Japanese and what is Korean anymore, bringing her closer to defeat.

8.       CNBlue – Love*

a.       The first soldier on Noble’s fight list that isn’t an actual boyband, but rather an actual indie band that got signed because they were so popular, this next battle will be a close one, showing Balgram a different side of K-Pop. The distractingly feminine singer with long hair will more than likely be what causes this to be a close one, however Noble is confident that the uniqueness of an actual band in K-Pop, as well as the lead singer’s power vocals will make up for it. On top of this, Balgram will unconsciously be taught to speak Korean via the subtitles that are present in this battle.

9.       TVXQ – Beautiful You (J)

a.       Another double agent in the war, this soldier might distract Balgram with the man that looks like a Final Fantasy character. Noble sends this soldier out with a sense of nostalgia for the good old days when this group was still fighting together, back when the maknae (baby/youngest) still looked like the maknae.

10.   SS501 – Love Ya*

a.       Next on the fight list is a powerful comeback song from Noble’s ultimate bias, her first true love, and the one group that Noble loves every single singer and will never ever be able to pick a favorite. Compared to their older songs, this one lends an air of true maturity and masculinity, and combined with the perfect vocals, epic dancing, and beautiful faces, there is no way Balgram will be able to resist. This soldier is a powerful way to end the first third of the war.

11.   Big Bang – Koe Wo Kikasete (J)*

a.       The next in the line of K-Pop soldiers sneaking into Japan is the perfect way to open the middle part of the war, and will leave Balgram secretly wondering why she had never listened to K-Pop in the first place. With vocals beyond amazing, Balgram will be completely unable to resist the voices of Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri, as well as the strength of TOP and G-Dragon’s rapping in English. And Noble secretly ‘forgot’ to put any Korean songs from this group on her fight list, and has the confidence that Balgram will be unable to resist seeking them out on her own. Especially all the solo songs all the group members do. Because those are amazing too.

12.   2PM – I’ll Be Back*

a.       Noble takes a bit of a risk with her next soldier, putting a dance group on the flight list. While a little bit different than most of the soldiers on the list, this one is sure to impress, and maybe even short-circuit. This one is sure to get Balgram’s feet tapping, distracting her from the ultimate goal of luring her over with handsome men who are powerful dancers and who have amazing bodies hidden under those awesome jackets. Trust me. Amazing bodies. All that dancing really pays off.

13.   TVXQ  - Summer Dream (J)

a.       Hitting back with another secret agent, this time infiltrating with a fun, cute video, Noble sets out to prove that there are many different kinds of K-Pop, under the disguise of Japanese. Lots of bright smiles and liquid drenched Korean men is guaranteed to make the opponent smile. Noble hopes her prey won’t pay attention to the long hair on the maknae in this one, as this video is from his long haired days while the group was fighting in Japan. Noble is sure that Balgram will search out other videos by this group—since she put so many of their videos on her fight list—allowing her to see the maknae in better hairstyles.

14.   F.T. Island – I Hope*

a.       Another uniqueness in K-Pop culture, this soldier is sure to have a big advantage against the opponent. Featuring an actual band—instruments included—time travel, a talent show, and a red head with the brightest smile, Balgram is sure to fall for this adorable trap. And while Noble wishes Balgram to fall completely head over heels for this trap, she also needs to make sure that she doesn’t fall for the lead singer’s cute red hair, because the singer has a habit of changing his hair for every. Single. Music. Video. And Yet his smile never changes. Noble believes this song will impress Balgram, who is sure to be surprised when she can’t find very many songs by the same artist that are anything close to as cute. Because the band mostly sings sad songs. Just saying.

15.   Big Bang – Tell Me Goodbye (J)*

a.       Alright, next on the fight list is, once again, a secret agent sent to infiltrate the Balgram encampment. This one, however, has a special purpose that Noble has in mind. With its fabulous storyline similar to an actual movie and amazing amounts of English sprinkled throughout the song, as well as the classily dressed men, this soldier is sure to inspire Balgram just as it did Noble. A short story came from this video, one that leaves Noble in tears every time she rereads it, and she sends this precious soldier into battle with the faith that it will knock Balgram over and leave her completely open for the next attack.

16.   F.T. Island – Girl’s Don’t Know*

a.       The follow-up attack comes from the band that has fought before, though this one is slightly older, and features a different mood. If Balgram is paying attention, she will notice that there is a different singer playing one of the guitars. If she questions this, Noble will tearfully inform her through her network of spies and messengers that the singer has since left the group. However, the ragged hole was filled with another of equal talent. This song will leave definitely leave Balgram confused, since she will not be able to tell what genre K-Pop really is, and Noble will happily gloat that K-Pop is ALL the genres.

17.   TVXQ  - Mirotic*

a.       The next soldier on the list is guaranteed to send any straight girl straight to her knees in awe, and is strategically placed after a sad song to reap as much as possible. This battle will more than likely send Balgram scurrying through YouTubeland, and she will wonder what hit her, as this song—by the same group who fought in all those secret agent Japanese battles before—is completely in Korean. It will take her a moment to realize this, but by then she will have already lost. By now she will start to realize that the group is the same one that did Dangerous Love, and she will wonder why she hadn’t fallen completely for them before.

18.   Infinite – Before the Dawn/BTD*

a.       Out of all the soldiers sent into battle, this one is by far the most precious to Noble, and if Balgram really knows her, she will immediately understand why. From the powerful vocals and the completely in sync dancing to the exciting danger and epic fight scenes, this video has inspired fight scenes and stories alike. And once the battle is over and won Balgram will find it very difficult to resist searching all of YouTubeland for more videos of this group dancing, because with how in sync they are how can they not have a hive mind? And in fact, this video was secretly imbedded with a subliminal code that will cause Balgram to click on the “37 Videos” button above the video and force her to watch the first video on the list, entitled Paradise Dance Ver..mp4. And Noble’s laugh will be heard everywhere while Balgram watches, completely entranced by the group’s hypnotic dancing.

19.   TVXQ – Bolero (J)*

a.       In the last attack from a secret agent, Noble plans on bowling Balgram over with the powerful vocals of TVXQ once again. And after the particularly intense attack of the previous soldier, this will allow Balgram a little rest, while she recoups. It will leave her thinking that she’s safe, and will cause her to relax a little in her defenses. The beautiful lyrics, strong vocals and relaxing video will give her a false sense of security and leave her open to the next attack.

20.   TRAX – Oh My Goddess*

a.       In the final attack of the second third of the war, Noble throws a below-the-belt punch at Balgram with this soldier, meant to appeal to her fluffy, adorable-loving feminine side. With the third actual band, lots of brilliant sunlight, and a perfect mix of cute love song and rocking love song, this is sure to bring the opponent several leaps and bounds closer to the goal. With only two actual members in the group, this soldier is the smallest, but definitely not the weakest.

21.   Super Junior M – U (C)*

a.       With this first attack of the last third of the war, Noble throws a curveball that will leave Balgram’s head spinning with a song in not Japanese, not Korean, but Chinese. She hopes that this surprise attack will entice Balgram to fall completely head over heels with the first three singers—who all happen to be Noble’s three favorite—forcing her to search out more videos until she realizes she accidentally watched a dozen. In fact, Noble hopes that Balgram quickly figures out that this song is actually a remake of a Korean song. While watching this video, Noble is sure that Balgram will notice something strange and Noble would like to say, yes. That was an epic fart. And the little guy/violinist is from Canada.

22.   SHINee – Lucifer*

a.       The next soldier to head into battle is the second boyband video that Noble ever saw, and one that she knows all the words to. And while this is a younger looking group, looks can be deceiving, which this group proves by singing a powerful song while filling the video with intense dancing. A lot of repetitive listening went into this song, and it is very catchy, sure to fill Balgram’s brain until she can’t think of anything else. As long as she doesn’t pay attention to how young the group really is—the oldest is just a few months older than Noble herself—then the plan to get this song stuck in Balgram’s head will work perfectly, allowing the follow up song to completely blow her away.

23.   TRAX – Blind

a.       We take a little break from the intense dance videos to send in a sneaky sad romantic rock video sure to dig at Balgram’s heart featuring an actor she is sure to recognize from the previous Chinese video. As this is an extremely new video, Noble hasn’t had a chance to watch it over and over and over and over and over again. However, as with all the soldiers she sends to the warzone, the vocals are powerful and beautiful. But Noble sends a secret message along with the video, warning Balgram not to go looking for other videos by this group without her guidance; otherwise she might get scarred and scared away. Because their older videos are… weird.

24.   Beast/B2ST –Please Take Care of My Girlfriend (Say No)*

a.       Noble starts using a new strategy with this song, laying another sad song on her prey. This one, completely different from the other songs by the same singer, features strong vocals, very little dancing, was written by a fan for this group, and is not featured on any of their CDs. With such a unique story behind it, it is sure to interest Balgram, and will show her that even one group can sing in many different genres and still sound amazing.

25.   2AM – I Did Wrong*

a.       In the companion to the afternoon group, Noble continues the barrage of sad songs with an exceptionally sad video that tells a story. With sweet story and tall handsome men with the most powerful voices especially made for singing beautiful ballads, Noble is sure that Balgram is going to want to search for the full video, which is almost twice as long and tells the full story.

26.   SS501 – Find*

a.       Next on the fight list is another ballad, this time featuring five of the most beautiful voices in the world, including the voice of an angel is one that will completely entrance Balgram. This one, along with the one before, will secretly teach her to speak Korean, as well as read it, thanks to the subtitles that just happen to be there. One couldn’t ask for a better soldier than this one.

27.   Beast/B2ST – Fiction*

a.       As we start barreling towards the end of the war with hope in sight, Noble makes sure she has Balgram’s undivided attention with another ballad featuring a very loud pen and a piano that looks like a regular upright but secretly is an electric. This video, which is the latest release from this group, is a powerful soldier with an amazing step pattern that is going to distract Balgram for the next few weeks while she tries to learn it, it’s so cool looking. On top of that, if she doesn’t think the redhead looks like a handsome elf prince Noble might have to throw a slideshow into the battle. However, for the time being she doesn’t see the need for reinforcements, as she is confident that by now she has already won the war, and all she has to do is seal it with a kiss from the best soldiers, which she has saved for the last few.

28.   Bang Yong Guk – I Remember (Featuring Yang Yo Seop from Beast/B2ST)*

a.       Noble follows up with another sad song, this one depressingly so, in the hopes that she will leave Balgram completely broken by the end of the video, prime meat for the finish. While most of this song is rapped, it is incredibly powerful rap, and combined with the slightly violent music video that left Noble in tears each time she watched it, there is no way Balgram can’t fall completely for the redhead and his deep, powerhouse voice. Noble sends the soldier with a warning, though, as this video was actually banned from playing on Korean television for being too violent. Though it’s not nearly as violent as Tae Guk Gi, the Korean War movie Noble was force to cry her way through in class on Thursday… Anyway, if Balgram doesn’t flinch while watching this movie, she is obviously not human and must come from outer space. Making her a more awesome target for conversion.

29.   F.T. Island – Birds (Remake)

a.       After being destroyed by the devastating soldier before, Noble sends a happier soldier to cheer Balgram up and help her recover as she finds herself completely lost in unfamiliar territory. With Balgram surely solidly planted on the Korean side by now, Noble allows her to be charmed by this group’s most recent release, a remake of a popular Korean song not sung by this group. The group has such bright eyes and smiles that, as Noble powerhouses through to the end of the war, there is no going back for Balgram.

30.   Super Junior – No Other*

a.       Noble saved the best soldier for last, her secret weapon against the defenseless Balgram. If she hadn’t been converted up until this point, she will explode after this. As this is the most romantic, adorable, cute, happy song on the planet, it is sure to make Balgram feel all warm inside, helping her realize that she chose the right side. The only thing that would make this song and video better is if they had made it a few months earlier, when Han Geng was still a member of the group… Noble is a little bitter about that… However Noble made up for it by falling completely head over heels over the leader, the man in red pants, and she hopes that Balgram will fall for someone as well. Noble is confident that this video will seal the deal on Balgram’s conversion, because it is her secret weapon that she used on her mom, and it worked with her. Noble’s mom is in love with the man in the plaid shirt who ties the girl’s shoe.



At the end of the war, Balgram is allowed to take a breath and get herself acquainted with the culture she is now a part of. If she has any questions about any of the bands or any of the singers, Noble is more than happy to answer each and every question, right down to what their birthday and blood type is. She hopes that Balgram had a fun time riding the rollercoaster it surely was, and encourages her to continue watching and listening. If Balgram wants any music to listen to, the little star next the title indicates she owns the song and she is more than willing to send it to her. Also she has a LOT more where these came from. And by a lot, Noble means 1.6 days’ worth of music in every genre you can think of. Just ask.



Author’s Note:

I hope you enjoyed this. It was all meant to be fun and games, and was completely inspired by the pun you laid on me yesterday. I had fun writing it, though it took a lot longer than I thought it would. Please let me know if you have any questions. ^-^

1 comment:

Rozy Lass said...

I wish I had a couple of hours for this! You stinker, you know how much I enjoy KPop.
Saranghae, Eomma!