New Addiction: K-Town Amazingness!

I have been so excited about this show ever since word first spread they were casting for it! Some of the cast members might have changed, but my excitement sure as heck hasn't!

I haven't had the chance to talk about it fully, but I finally caught up today on all of the episodes and I literally cannot wait until next Wednesday morning (and why the hell it wasn't picked up by any network is beyond me, because this show is awesome).

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE this cast. Seriously. There isn't one person that I have an uncontrollable desire to punch in the face. (For instance, every time I watch Jersey Shore and Mike opens his mouth).

I love love love Jasmine, Scarlet, and Violet and all the crazy shit they say. They reduce me to tears from laughing so hard. (And by the way, Jasmine and Scarlet are following me on Twitter, which makes them even more awesome in my book). 

I love Steve and Joe and the insane shit they get into and how they explain the inner-workings of K-Town and the key steps to proper partying. 

I love Cammy and Young because they're the sweethearts of the show, but I have a huge feeling we're just barely scratching the surface of them. 

And Jowe ... oh, man ... good looking and cocky? I think the creators of the show added him into the mix just to make me happy. Seriously, I have just started following him on Twitter, and his tweets go like this: 50% are pictures of food, 30% are pictures of his cars (or any car),  10% are retweeting others, 5% are thanking new followers, and the last 5% is arguing with Scarlet. 

And I love the macros posted on the show's Facebook page. Like this one:

And this one:

It has everything.

1. Gorgeous people

2. Gorgeous hilarious people

3. Gorgeous hilarious people drinking waaaay too much

4. Gorgeous hilarious people drinking waaaay too much and throwing drinks at each other

I swear I am completely addicted to this show. I love how most of them are friends with each other or know of each other somehow, and aren't random strangers put together in a house with a gross hot tub. It's a group of friends (and in Scarlet and Jowe's case, frenemies), hanging out and having a great time with each other. 

I am so excited for the rest of the season, so look forward to more in depth episode recaps next week and on!

Check out K-Town every Wednesday morning 10 AM EST / 7 AM PST on the YouTube Loud Channel!

Oh, and I know I've been MIA. I have been working on a side project, semi-blog related, that is one of my first loves and passions. Hopefully I can share it with you all one day, but until then it's a total secret :)

TKPA

What's Happening Here?

Okay, okay ... I know I've been out of the K-Pop loop for quite sometime now. But I've tried my hardest (really, I have!) to keep current, and I have to say, I'm completely shocked at what's been going on.

First, G-Dragon is caught wearing a thong. (Which, really, isn't all that shocking considering he wears pants that are probably meant for a twelve-year-old girl. I don't see baggy boxers or boxer-briefs fitting in those).

Second, Psy is having his video for "Gangnam Style" posted EVERYWHERE (even on my non-K-Pop-loving-slash-interested friends on Facebook know who Psy is ... crazy!)

Then there is the wickedly addicting K-Town (which I will DEFINITELY be posting about tonight!) that I am completely obsessed with.

And now?

Now, Chad Future has come out with an A-Kpop song and video titled "Hello."

Chad and I go way back ... back to those Heart2Heart days where I called him a douche and a tool and kindly offered him ways to become that heart throb leader. Suggestions that he did not take into consideration, but hey ... his loss. (Because if anyone knows how leaders get their sex appeal, it's yours truly. 90% of my bias list is composed of them ... except T.O.P, but face it, that man is flawless as is).

And he still looks like he is the front man for a screamo-emo band rather than an "A-Kpop" solo artist. Like, you guys have no freaking idea how badly I want to just dye his hair and cut it.

For the song and video ... ehh. I don't looooove it, but I also don't hate with a passion. It has nothing to do with his "A-Kpop" approach, it has nothing to do with him being a Caucasian dude into K-Pop (because hey, I'm a Caucasian girl into K-Pop so I can't really be all judgmental on that issue). It just wasn't for me. I felt the sets had a great K-Pop feel to them, so brownie points for that. 

I can't put my finger on why it's just so-so to me. Wait, yes I can.

1. Chad has supposedly been studying Korean to prep for his venture there. Yet he himself only says like two lines in Korean, while some other guy sings the chorus in Korean. It's kind of like ... why bother with the Korean part to begin with? 

2. He literally looks like he just stepped off the set for "Facebook Official." Seriously. Don't believe me? Peep this.

(Side note: I miss KX's cutie face ...)

His look has not changed in almost a year. Dude, just ask Taeyang ... you get made fun of for that type of behavior in this fandom. Like seriously mocked. And here's the sick part ... we really love Tae-Tae. He has veteran status and we tear him to shreds. You're still a newbie to us, Chad Future.

3. I don't know who Jeremy Thurber is ... and not saying he doesn't have a nice voice, because he does. But, dude, there are a few K-Pop idols who currently aren't doing much that you could have recruited to sing this part. I mean, I'm sure that Peter and Young Sky would have been more than happy to do something ... (ouch, that joke even hurt my fan girl heart). A friendly face could have given you more views inside South Korea and boosted your status a little.

Let me stress this ... I'm not hating on Chad. I respect him for the hard work he has done and I respect the effort he put into this. Just saying it wasn't my cup of tea.

Watch the video for "Hello" below and then comment and tell me what you think about it.

OH AND ONE MORE THING.

Chad, I bet you thought no one would notice. I bet you thought you could totally sneak this in there and no one would notice. And I can't tell if it's a slight acknowledgment to your former group, or if you just think it's a super cool way to enter a music video ...

Boom.

TKPA

How to Cook JapChae for Your Oppas (or Noonas)

Let me start this off by forewarning that this is not truly traditional JapChae, rather adaptations of the recipe. I also omitted a few things (spinach because I didn't feel like blanching it, and mushrooms because I don't like them), but I am going to provide links to the recipes that include those and simply blog about what I made tonight.

I originally had the craving to make this after watching City Hunter, and I made it with only beef and no veggies. I liked it, but the recipe I first used was loaded with pepper and it was too zippy tasting to me, so I didn't care for it. I decided to give it another try and use a different recipe.

JapChae, if you don't know, calls for noodles made from sweet potato starch. These are the coolest noodles on the face of the Earth, because they turn clear once they're cooked.

How freaking cool are those? They're a little chewy in texture, so don't think you overcooked them. At your local Asian market, you'll want to look for a bag like this. At mine, there is literally two aisles dedicated to various types of noodles from all over Asia. It took me and the two Korean girls who worked there ten minutes to find this bag. I was looking for something that said "SWEET POTATO NOODLES" all over it, not a teeny, tiny font in the top corner.

Okay, so this is essentially what I used. After mixing everything together, I realized there was definitely a lack of carrots in this dish, but lesson learned for next time.

You'll need:

• 2 carrots
• 1 small onion
• 1 stalk of scallion (or green onion)
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• Beef (I used a cut of top round steak, but you can use whatever you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil, plus about 1/2 teaspoon
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• dash of teriyaki 
• 1 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds
• 1 package of sweet potato noodles

First thing first ... wash your hands!

Cut the beef into thick strips, which you will then cut into three smaller strips, then cut those strips in half. Make sense? I didn't think it would, that's why I took a picture of my method.

Left: thick strip turned onto the wide-side of the cut. Middle: three smaller strips, but still long. Right: the smaller strips cut in half to form bite-size pieces, which makes it easier to pick up with chopsticks.

Chop the onion in half (and of course remove outer lining/peel), and place flat bottom of onion on cutting board. With a sharp knife, CAREFULLY slice the onion into small slices. Once it is sliced, with your fingers, pull apart the layers. You'll see they'll come apart very easily and you'll have thin strips that will be able to be picked up by chopsticks. Chop the carrots into thin strips as well. Figure out a best method to do that for yourself, because honestly, I hate cutting carrots into thin strips! Chop the scallion stalk into pieces, it doesn't necessarily have to be strips. Mince the garlic using a garlic press.

Right now is when you should add water to a large pot to begin boiling. It will take a little bit, so while you're waiting for that, you can start cooking the meat.

In a large skillet, use a non-stick spray to coat the pan before using a tiny bit (and I mean about two to three small drizzles) of sesame oil and about 1 tablespoon of canola oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the beef, sprinkle with a bit of pepper and salt for seasoning, and let brown. Drain any excess liquid once the beef starts to brown (removing the excess liquid will help the beef actually BROWN). Before removing from the pan, drizzle a tiny bit of teriyaki over the beef and let it cook until evaporated (this is totally my addition, as I thought it didn't have much flavor on it's own, and plus I put teriyaki on pretty much everything). Remove from pan and place in a separate bowl.

If the bottom of your pan has some brown crispy beef bits stuck to it, take a glass of warm water and pour it into the pan while it is still on the burner. Take a metal spatula and scrape the bottom of the pan. (This is called de-glazing the pan. It is super helpful and makes clean up a breeze). Pour liquid down the drain and rinse with water. Dry bottom of pan with a rag in case it gets wet (especially if you have a glass top stove, you don't want it to crack).

In a small pan, add the sesame seeds and place on the smallest burner. Set to low and let them to toast, shaking the pan every so often. You'll know they are ready when you can smell them. Take off the burner and set aside.

Now is about the time the water for the noodles should be boiling, so add the noodles and set your timer for 5 minutes.

Add another tablespoon of canola oil and add the onions, garlic, and carrots. Stir about 2-3 minutes or until onions are slightly clear. Add scallions and stir for another minute. Add beef back into skillet and toss altogether. (Note: Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the onions and carrots when they were sliced before I added them to the skillet. But you can still see what it is supposed to look like and how thin it should be).

The noodles should be ready and your timer going off. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water. Get your hand in there to really get that cold water through those noodles. With scissors (that you've cleaned!) cut the noodles several times. 

Add the noodles back into the pan and mix thoroughly. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, plus a concoction of 4 tablespoons soy sauce and 2.5 tablespoons of sugar, which is sort of like the sauce for the dish. Serve onto individual plates and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds.

Your end result should look like this:

See what I mean about not enough carrots?

Now, I'm not really an expert at food photography, and I took this with my camera phone, but believe me when I tell you it is amazing and delicious.

If you want to add the spinach and mushrooms, then following the recipe listed here. This website has a bunch of really awesome Asian recipes (try the Egg Roll recipe. It is amazing and the only one I will ever use. I have received so many compliments on "my" egg rolls because of this site!). If you are curious, the first recipe I used that I thought had too much pepper, you can find it here. 

So if you decide to make it, let me know how it turned out. If you have any questions, just ask! I'm not the world's biggest expert on Korean cooking, and I won't pretend to be. But I do know a little bit about cooking and a few tricks and tips, so ask away!

Now you know what to feed your idol! You know what they say about men and their stomachs ... And for you men out there reading this, give your woman a break and cook dinner for her!

TKPA

Jay Park's Lyrical Romance

Guess what, guys? I have tarsal tunnel syndrome. Don't know what that is? Well, neither do I quite frankly but it hurts like a bitch and I have to wear a stupid ugly walking boot for the next few days. And because I have to wear the bulky thing on my foot, I can't really walk, and since I can't walk, I can't work. 

But that isn't stopping me from totally laughing my ass of at Jay Park's new mixtape he released via YouTube. It's amazing, if you haven't had the chance to listen to it. And by amazing, I mean hysterical. 

I first listened to "BODY2BODY." It sounds like dubstep meets early 90's club music. I totally see greasy men in shiny suits a la Night at the Roxbury jamming out to this song. Naturally, if you were to play this in a night club, the beat alone would suffice. But it isn't just background music, which makes me sad.

The lyrics "I don't want to be a creep, but I want you tonight," ... dude, that right there is in fact creepy. Imagine a guy coming up to you at a club, ladies, and saying, "I don't want to be a creep, but I want you." Wouldn't you throw your drink in his face and call security? 

"Now put your hands in the air if you're having a good time, say oooooooh." Um, what?

"If you wanna dance and drank," SERIOUSLY. DRANK?? 

Then I listened to "William Hung," which automatically had me rolling because of the title ... but then the tears started flowing at what happened next.

It was bad. It was so bad. So bad that my computer stopped playing it.

For real.

Awful. 

It was as if after rhyming "viagra" with "Niagra" my computer said "Fuck this garbage," and gave up on it's technological life. But being the dedicated blogger I am, I had to sweet talk my computer into working again. It's like a bad car accident, you just have to look.

The most eloquent, thought provoking, poetic lyrics are below, guys. I mean, seriously ...

Ha if there's a fuck I don't give it, My life I live it
Champagne I drink it, No glass bottle clutched in my hand its finished
Middle finger to all of you hating on me on that bitch shit
This shit be a gun, It bangs it bangs
Your hair in the front, It bangs it bangs

A gang on a slut, it bangs it bangs

This be William Hung cause it bangs it bangs

... just so deep.

"A gang on a slut," my how charming. Such a gentleman, ladies. Wow, all of you who become his groupies sure are lucky. 

Just as an FYI ... if a man has any ounce of respect for a woman, he'd never refer to her as a slut. Not in personal life, not in the spotlight.

More poetry, you ask?

Fine chick just passed man im eyeing her twice
Third time and I’m making her my wife for tonight
So just sit back relax enjoy the show
As I spit raps and facts with the coldest flows
Yeah I’ll go refrigerator on yah
Half my face missing I’ll go terminator on yah
Donald trump cause I’m giving girls the business
I’mmah dog pound cause I’m getting all these bitches

Once again, ladies so lucky. One of you will be his wife tonight. Probably the one with her boobs popping out the most. The slut next to her in the five inch stilettos, you'll be his wife tomorrow night. And he's getting all of you bitches so no need to argue over who goes first. 

I wish I could take this seriously, but this is utter crap and if you think this is "good" music ... I'm sorry, I don't mean to ridicule you for your tastes, but this is nothing but a joke.

As I can't take more of this ... um, music ... I have to finish with "Be With Me 2Night." At first, I thought this was the least repulsive song from a woman's standpoint. Sure, the "girl you're different from these girls I've been sexin'," left a bad taste in my mouth, but the rest wasn't that bad. 

Then came the rap. Are you ready for more romantic poetry from Jay, ladies? Some words as foreplay:

Lets say your my hobby cause I’ll do you with a passion
Girl what you pitching I’mmah hit it like a fast ball
Make you say my name exclamation point caps on
Dag gon only chick badder than Michael Jackson
Yup and I’ll fuck yah tatts off once in a life time girl you’ve earned the last spot
Hit that ass raw and I’mmah make you gasp huhhhhhhh
Yeah your embedded in my head so get embedded in my bed/
Young cat but I’mmah veteran of sex
Gonna bust that in the middle center of yah legs
Fuck rap better get ready for whats next

Done.

I'm curious. My opinion on this mixtape has been made quite evident, but I really want to know what you all think. Do you love it? Hate it? Think it's funny and that's the only reason you're listening to it?

Go to Jay's YouTube channel and listen to the songs. Also, this website has all of the lyrics, and if I'm not mistaken, I think Jay put this up himself, so they're accurate. 

Leave your comments below!

Oh, and sorry to Jay if you read this. I know you put a lot of work into this and I respect that ... but dude ... saying you'll fuck the tattoos off a girl is not in the least bit sexy. Women don't find that shit sexy.

TKPA

What the Ink?!

G-Dragon has two new tattoos, bringing his grand total up to six now if I am not mistaken. That we know of, obviously. Boy could have some stashed away in private areas that only God, the tattoo artist, and whoever the hell he is dating would know about. I like his other tattoos, with the exception of the dragon ball. Why on earth he would get that permanently on his body is still lost on me, but hey if it means something to him, who am I to judge?

I like this one. I am not crazy about it, because it's too much like a white boy who grew up in the suburbs trying to be hardcore ... but more importantly I don't hate it. Do I understand the meaning of it? Yes, I will eternally be a little kid myself, so I get that the mind is what keeps you young. Could he have listened to too much Rod Stewart while thinking of what to get? It is possible. Is it much too big for his skinny body? Oh hell yes it is. GD, you need to eat ... like, severely need to eat. And then once you've gained about ten pounds, then you need to get your newly chubby butt into the gym with Daesung and then I won't mind so much the second tattoo you got.

Dude. 

Again, not judging ... or, trying not to judge ... but this is gross. I know this has to have some sort of significance to you, because you are the type of person that doesn't do something just for the hell of it ... but you could have chosen a better font than that. The font throws me off but whatever ... not my body, not my problem.

But please let's just chill on the tattoos for a bit, and let's put some more thought in the execution of any future ones. 

Please don't end up like Jay Park and his plethora of fug tattoos. Just remember, you WILL get old eventually, your "forever young" tattoo is only for your mind, not your body. Eventually it will be all saggy and wrinkled and it will not look cute or sexy. So if you want to be an old cute Korean man with "hardcore" tattoos, then follow Jay's footsteps.

On the other hand ...

TAEYANG'S IS HOT. SERIOUSLY.

I love this. I don't know what took him so long to get it but I am eternally grateful that he did. I do think it is a little big, but faith in God isn't meant to be small so I get the size of it. Now we need to get him back into the "Prayer" ab days and this will look AMAZING. 

For real, imagine this tattoo all rippled and cut with his many side-abs. Oh ... dear sweet K-Pop Gods you blessed us indeed.

Oh and still totally bouncing over the fact that I called this side-tatt. I must have saved starving children in a former life.

TKPA