listen | BTS "Serendipity"

I've been home for South Korea since mid-Spring, but I still try to keep up with what they are putting out into the music industry. I've been a fan of BTS for a while thanks to my students haha, and I was rooting for them when they won the Billboard Awards earlier this year for Top Social Artist--anything that helps me bridge the gap between my love of Korea to the folks back home.

It's been a little while since I've come across a song or a video that stops me in my tracks and makes me want to play it on repeat. (The last one was Chris Quilala of Jesus Culture's "Because of Your Love".)

This song featuring Jimin from BTS has become that new song over the last few days. The vocals, the visuals, the lyrics, all in combination are breathtaking. The more I watch and listen, the more I am entranced. Good job with this one.

(Turn on English captions if you want to follow along with the lyrics while watching the video)

Translated lyrics:

All this is no coincidence

just- just- i could feel that 

the whole world is different than yesterday

just- just- with your joy

When you called me

I become your flower 

as if we were waiting

we bloom until we ache

Maybe its the providence of the universe

it just had to be that

U know I know

You are me, I am you

As much as my heart flutters, I’m worried

Destiny is jealous of us

Just like you I’m so scared

When you see me

When you touch me

The universe has moved for us

There wasn’t even a little miss

Our happiness was meant to be

Cause you love me

And I love you

You’re my penicillium (blue mold)

Saving me

My angel my world

I’m your calico cat

Here to see you

Love me now touch me now

Just let me love you

Just let me love you

Since the creation of the universe

Everything was destined

Just let me love you

Let me love, let me love you

Let me love, let me love you

happy halloween

Here is a little Halloween themed Kpop video that my students were talking about, you know, other than the new BTS song (Blood, Sweat, and Tears) or PPAP.

TWICE(트와이스) - "TT"

listen to | best of 2015

In just a couple days I will be on my way back to Canada after a full year (and then some) in South Korea. It still feels a bit surreal to be honest. I am excited to see my family, friends, eat familiar food and not be confused ~87% of the time.



To sum up this past year, here is a mash-up of most of the big K-Pop hits of 2015 by SHIMMixes; some parts are chaotic while others are quite congenial, much like my actual time here. And, if you put on the closed captions you can get translations along with the names of the artists and songs! Bonus!

listen to | girls generation

I think this is gonna be
a Christmas worth remembering
the best you’ll ever see

I found this English version of their song Dear Santa and thought it was perfect to share. I don't understand the Korean one, anyway! (The beat picks up at 1:30)

I won't be home for Christmas this year. It's the first time I won't be sitting around the living room with my mom and dad, sisters, bro-in-law and grandmother or enjoying Christmas Dinner. Oh, the Seven Cup Pudding--the only day my mother makes it! Homesickness will be on high levels on the 25th.

While I don't think this will be the best Christmas I've ever seen as the song says, it is still worth remembering! I strung up some lights around my room, found a cute little tree to decorate in the apartment, and thankfully Santa's elves at the post office made sure of the safe arrival of a few presents from family and friends back home!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!

listen to | carly rae jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen | I Really Like You

Give this song another listen because it's just a lot of fun. And the video stars Tom Hanks, so it's awesome (also, there's a cameo of J. Biebs at the end).

Oh, did I say too much?
I'm so in my head
When we're out of touch
I really really really really really really like you
And I want you, do you want me, do you want me, too?

listen to | betty who

Betty Who | Heartbreak Dream

This high energy Australian's got some fun, catchy tunes going on, but right now this song is on repeat.

In a moment
You were everything to me
In this moment 
We're living in a heartbreak dream

listen to | boy

BOY | Into the Wild

A friend introduced me to this Swiss/German duo last year and this slow, dreamy song is still one of my favourites.

My heart it races and my mind cannot catch up
It's all over two places, it runs through doors that should be shut
My head's asking questions, my heart's a determined dancer
So when the music is over will I finally get my answer

listen to | broods

Broods | Taking You There

Robyn is more or less my own personal music guru (and mixed CD queen IMHO) and more often than not, when she tells me about a song or a band, I instantly fall in love. Over the years of friendship, we have found our tastes to be quite similar. She told me about this duo from New Zealand a little while ago but it wasn't until more recently that I gave them a regular listen.

Tonight, I have this one on repeat.

If scars are for the living
Then I could be forgiven
And everything you need
I could give you

listen to | lights

Lights | Muscle Memory

I am so into Lights' new album, Little Machines that came out last week.
Major girl crush.

listen to | caty shaw

Caty Shaw | Human Contact

How fun is this?

listen to | gungor

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

music is a total constant

"Music is a total constant. That’s why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment."
-Sarah Dessen

listen to | lisa mitchell

Lisa Mitchell | Clean White Love

A woah ah oh you’re my clean white love

A woah ah oh you’re my clean white love

What are you doing?

What you doing, what ya doing to me?

What are you doing to my head?

I want to live in this music video. And I want her red boots.