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About Me

I was born in 1992, I live in the USA, and I enjoy my privacy despite being chatty as fuck. You can call me Ace. I use they/them and/or he/him pronouns.

I've been a fanfic writer and reader since 2006. Since I like to keep my fandom activity siloed, I decided to make a new account for kpop stuff when I realized it was my new primary fandom and likely would be for some time.

I started listening to kpop in 2009 and stayed on the periphery of the fandom for a long time. I heard the big songs and big news, but I didn't follow any groups closely. In 2015, I started listening more and steadily went deeper and deeper into the fandom. And now here I am writing RPF.

About This Blog

I miss the old days of livejournal style blogging, so I figured I'd try taking it up again even if I was shouting into the void.

I intend to use this space for content that's too long for my twitter and inappropriate for my AO3. At the moment, I'm planning to post "extended author notes" for my fic Maybe the Truth since people have expressed interest in that. I'm also planning fic recs, top song lists, etc. It may not be all kpop related? We'll see! This is basically a for-fun experiment.

Feel free to comment, even if you're a stranger. I like talking to people online and making friends!

my top kpop 2022: Jan, Feb, & Mar

Singles

 1, 2, 3 – AB6IX

 

I know basically nothing about this group beside the fact that there is not currently (nor has there ever been?) six members. I appreciate the commitment to continuing kpop’s fine tradition of Fewer Members Than You’d Expect. Anyway, my friend kmac sent this song to me, and I immediately loved it. It’s cute, the music video is cute, it's good old-fashioned singing and dancing.

Can’t Control Myself – Taeyeon

I know INVU was her bigger release, and it’s good too, but this kind of emotional ballad is bait for me. I love the drama of the MV too.

Devil – Max Changmin

From the very beginning vocalizations to the final chorus, this is top-notch vaguely sacrilegious vibes, and I am here for the cinematic drama of it all. Devil bless you, Changmin.

Do It Like This – P1Harmony

I actually entirely missed this song when it first came out, but when I saw them perform it for KCON, it hooked me. The hand-punching chorus choreo is very satisfying.

Ghost Town – Moonbin & Sanha (Astro)

This was a gift from the Spotify algorithm, and I am very grateful for it because this song is soooo my type. The sound, the theme, the vocal performance, all of it. I’d actually never seen the MV until I looked it up for this list, and it’s exactly what I’d expect: nothing but a small budget, moody lighting, and a vision.

GingaMingaYo (the strange world) – Billie

Not my usual sound, but my friend kmac trapped me in the car and made me listen to the album immediately after she bought it. The pre-chorus chant has been stuck in my head ever since.

Maniac – Max Changmin

If you haven’t watched this MV, you’ve been missing out on one of the year's most fun MVs in my opinion. And the song! The frantic but well-controlled energy of it is perfect; Changmin is truly at the top of his game here.

 

suit dance – OnlyOneOf

I am not immune to pretty men dancing in suits. It is a oft-repeated concept for a reason. But OnlyOneOf brings their signature sensuality and unusual sound to the classic concept to turn out something that feels fresh.

 

Too Bad – WEi

Another case of “I don’t know this group; my friend kmac sent it to me.” Such a fun song, perfect for when you need a pick-me-up.

Weekend – Taeyeon

Addicted to this… I made my coworkers listen to it. An anthem for working adults. When the weekend comes, you really can do whatever you want, so true, Taeyeon. I know this actually came out last year, but I'm counting it for this year because it came out on her album this year. And also this is my list, and I can do whatever I want.

B-Sides

Airplane Mode – Max Changmin
 

My bread and butter is chill, pretty songs that I can put on and listen to while I write. This song is very chill and very pretty, and thus it is inevitable that I would love it.
 

Alien – Max Changmin
 

This song is such a funky groove; it sounds like something that would play at a resort in space. Love the contrast between Changmin’s low and high tones here too.
 

Better Than Gold – NCT Dream
 

Lately, I’ve been playing this at the start of the work week to put me in a better mood. Frankly, there is no higher calling for a song.
 

Dirty Dancing – Max Changmin
 

Observant readers will notice that basically the entire Devil mini album made it onto this list. I will not repent; it’s a damn good album. The instrumentation in this song got me right away.
 

Rewind – NCT Dream

 

Chenle, Haechan, and Renjun sound so good on this track. Everyone sounds good but especially them.
 

Same Same – STAYC
 

Found this one while doing my KCON homework. The “oh woah” in the chorus immediately got caught in my ears and hasn’t left yet.
 

Saturday Drip – NCT Dream
 

This song has taken over my brain. I no longer have thoughts. There is only “drip drip drip like Jackson Pollock.” I sincerely fear it will be my top-played track on Spotify by the end of the year.
 

Siren – Taeyeon
 

This is one of those songs that just scratches an itch in my head. Plus, her voice is especially lovely on this track, I feel.
 

You Better Not – Taeyeon
 

I love the pre-chorus and chorus sooooo much, it’s so fun. Great for long-distance drive sing-alongs.
 

Young Luv – STAYC
 

I understand why they picked Run2U as the lead single because it’s definitely the more “public friendly” track, but I think this song could’ve absolutely crushed it as a more unexpected choice.