Step One: Admitting My Problem

I know exactly when it happened. It was May 9, 2009.

I logged onto my computer that afternoon, checking my usual websites [Facebook, Twitter, Myspace (which is rarely ever used), Kickette, DailyMail (why I choose to read British mags is another topic entirely), and of course, Perez Hilton]. It was on Perez that I first saw the video that has forever changed my life. I normally skip over the music videos he posts, but something deep within me said to give it a chance. Maybe it was the fact that the screencap of the video showed a lot of handsomely dressed Korean men, or maybe it was out of sheer boredom that I decided to watch it.

Either way, I fell in love.

If you've ever heard Korean pop, you can't deny that the beats are catchy. Sure, I don't know what they're saying 95% of the song (5% of it has broken English phrases incorporated into the lyrics), but it still makes me want to get out of my chair and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. In the months following that fateful day, my tastes in K-pop have branched out a teeny bit. I used to subject my ears to nothing but one group, over and over, song after song, until I could sing the songs in Korean. And I can sing them in Korean.

And the one group I am referring to -- the group that I obsess over on a daily basis and that I swear I will marry at least one of these boys -- is none other than the amazing, talented, hilarious, and absolutely man-gorgeous, Super Junior.

From left to right: Shindong, Donghae, Yesung, Kangin (hat), Sungmin, Kyuhyun,

Kibum (top), Hankyung, Heechul, Eunhyuk, Ryeowook, Siwon, Leeteuk

Yes, there are thirteen of them. Yes, I know all of their names. And no, actually, none of them look similar. Let me just tell you, I am in love with these boys. I have over thirty of their songs that I repeatedly play on my iTunes, their entire 3rd album (which is absolutely incredible in every single way), and yes, there is even a poster (the above picture, actually) on my wall. I will have one of their babies, but that's something I'll hash out another day. And there will be plenty of posts as to why I love Super Junior, so I won't begin to explain it at the moment, but trust ... there are a lot of reasons.

Suggested Super Junior songs: "It's You," "Reset," "She Wants It," and "Let's Not."

Another K-pop boy band/idol group I currently have a fascination with is 2PM. I will admit that Super Junior can be a bit too ... feminine at times. But the (now six) boys of 2PM are anything but that. I say now six because the "leader" of the group has now left for an entirely-much-too-complicated-reason-for-me-to-even-get-into. (If you're curious, type "2PM Jaebeom" into any search engine, and you'll soon find your answers, as well as get a delicious eye full of [seriously] some of the hottest, muscular Korean men alive).

Back row: Chansung, Junsu, Wooyoung, Taekyeon
Front row: Junho, Jaebeom (departed), Nichkhun

I have a deep, deep crush on these boys. Their choreography is sick, their music is extremely addicting, and they aren't bad to look at, either. Which isn't always the most important thing, but it's a nice factor to include into the equation. I am very sad that Park Jaebeom has left the group, because the guy has a KILLER voice and he just oozes sex. And yes, that is an eight pack. I will miss not seeing him involved with 2PM, but on the plus side (as every dark cloud has a silver lining) this boy is: 1. American, 2. Back in Seattle. Which means that there is only the continental U.S. stopping me from stalking him, rather than the continental U.S. and the Pacific Ocean. (I kid, I kid. I'm too broke to go stalking Korean idols, and if I did have money, I'd be stalking any one of the Super Junior members or 2PM's Taekyeon).

Suggested 2PM songs: "Again and Again," and "10 Out of 10."

The other group that is somewhat involved with 2PM is 2AM. Catchy, huh? I have to admit, I haven't actually listened to any of their songs (yet), but they are on my list. However, this video has done more than enough to convince me to listen to them, and the hilarity of "leader" Jokwon's "English" skills has amused me endlessly.

I know I need help. I send clips and songs to my friends (namely one in particular, who we shall call from here on out The K-Pop Junkie) and they look at me as if I'm insane. And I can acknowledge why they think that. Hello, I am a white girl in love with Korean pop, completely and one-hundred percent addicted to it. It is my heroin, my alcohol. I need it like a crack junkie needs their next fix. American music just doesn't do it for me anymore, folks.

And it's not a serious addiction or anything that is hazardous to my health. Nothing like that. But when I catch and stop myself from answering "yes" in Korean (pronounced, "Ye," or "Ne") when my first language is English, that is a major problem.
Yours,
The K-Pop Addict