Chocolate Love - marketing 101 for deluded k-pop fans

 Lately I've been fielding a lot of questions like this:

and this:

So for those who wonder:

1.  How much money idols make, and
2.  How much fans and idols alike are being played like suckers by entertainment companies

This blog has the answer, in both short and long form.

Hot sexy Xmas Raina fanfic

People have asked me to write more fanfiction, so I've succumbed to popular demand.  This story was submitted by me for a competition on OneHallyu forums, to write a Christmas-themed fanfiction.  I thought I'd write it about Raina, my #1 k-pop bias, just so my writing would have the true integrity and passion required to take out the top prize.  Text by me, illustrations by Anti Kpop-Fangirl.  I hope you all find something in it that you can enjoy.

Her "talents" are huge - why "MR removed" videos are all bullshit

For a while now, a horrible cancer has been infecting the world of k-pop - the obsession with "talent".  I put "talent" in inverted commas because when people talk about "talent" in k-pop in either a positive or negative sense, they usually only ever talk about one thing, which is singing ability.  They tend to ignore other talents that actually matter a lot more for career advancement and industry success in the world of ultra-commercial idol pop, such as:

• Looking good on stage
• Dancing (sometimes also factored in when people discuss "talent" - but rarely)
• Looking good on TV
• Stage presence
• Looking good in front of still cameras (i.e modelling)
• Talking to the media (if you don't think this one matters, just ask anyone in KARA)
• Looking good in a versatile way for different outfits to use in different concepts
• Emotional labour (what air hostesses do - keeping the happy facade up, smiling constantly when you've had a shit day etc, ask f(x) about this one)
• Looking good even in airports
• Fellatio technique (just ask [insert your bias here])
• Looking good even in a car accident (or else)
• Behind-the-scenes talent that supports your talent (songwriters, producers, stylists, choreographers)
• Looking good at all times

It also helps if you are attractive.  More fun facts about vocal performances after the jump.

Fuckin' mergers - how do THEY work?

A few people have asked me over the last few weeks if I had any thoughts about the SM/Woollim merger.  If you're one of those three people, this post is for you.  If not, I'll try and make it entertaining enough that you don't fall asleep while reading it, although if you feel the need to slice open the veins on your forearm and pour caffeine directly into the gaping wound just to keep your eyes open during this shit, I won't blame you.  I certainly melted down and mainlined a bunch of Cadburys just to write this.

A random collection of news/thoughts

My, has it been a while.

I honestly have nothing to write. Korean music news has been slow. So bear with me what little highlights I scrounged together to make this crap-tastic article.