All posts in: Music

Music
24 Nov 2020

2020 American Music Awards Performances

Awards shows in 2020 are still very weird, but despite all of that, they are continuing and I will still watch. Granted these days, I’m mostly watching for BTS, but in order to keep in an open mind and to see what other music is out there, I’m watching the entire show. Another reason for this is that the American Music Awards literally put BTS as the closing performers which meant I had to watch three hours of performances I didn’t care too much about. However, out of those, here are the ones that caught my attention a little while longer.

Jennifer Lopez blew us all away at the Super Bowl this year, but that was no surprise. For as long as I’ve known her to be a performer, I’ve always been impressed. Have we ever seen a poor performance by her? Her duet with Maluma was so steamy, you couldn’t peel your eyes away from the screen. It’s worth mentioning that I didn’t mean “steamy” in a bad way. It was incredible as a performance from start to finish.

For some reason, I’m not able to find a full version of both performances by BTS, but lucky for us BANGTANTV has got it separated into two. While it’s just a fan cam, I tend to find these to be even more intimate and less theatrical. You feel like you’re actually there because you can hear the drones whizzing by!

The Kenny G cameo was everything, wasn’t it? The Weeknd had an amazing performance at the AMAs taking over the city of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, The Weeknd was incredibly snubbed by the Grammy nominations that came out this morning. After a successful album release and hit singles from 2020 alone, he received no recognition by the organization. This news is now overshadowing the performance that he just had and no one really knows what to do with the information.

Last, but not least – the throwback Bell Biv Devoe performance was so much fun! You may not know this, but any chance I get, I will always request “Poison.” And that’s exactly what I got from this performance. Sadly, there is no video, but like the things we love in the past, we’ll continue to cherish it forever. <3 (even with no evidence of it)

Music
24 Nov 2020

BTS Perform “Life Goes On” on James Corden

It was a nice surprise to find out last minute that BTS would be performing their latest single “Life Goes On” on the Late Late Show with James Corden! While there will be many of these in the coming months, I’ll only feature my favorite ones. The production team behind the group’s stages and performances, however, need a raise after this season is done. In the performance from last night, we watch the entire COVID-19 timeline unfold in front of our eyes as Jungkook reads about it as a headline in a newspaper. In the next transition, Jimin is already beginning his own version of shelter-in-place by being indoors. There is, however, an interesting twist to this performance that I completely missed the first time watching it. We watch the guys go through their entire 2020 calendar year indoors even celebrating Christmas in the present time. However, in the last shot, Jungkook is in a suit and preparing for what looks like a concert. If you’re not a fan yet, then you may not know that their entire album centers around this theme: Life Goes On. This challenging time that we’re in will pass and we will get back to doing the things we love again.

Style
22 Nov 2020

Blog Roundup

  • Get Out of Thanksgiving With This Interactive COVID Risk Map [Lifehacker]
  • How Lorne Michaels Created Saturday Night Live [Far Out]
  • Curfews Will Do Almost Nothing to Stop the Spread of COVID [Curbed]
  • 10 Winter Cocktails to Warm You Up this Season [MyDomaine]
  • Second Life Podcast: Jenna Lyons (former President of J. Crew and now Founder of LoveSeen) [WhoWhatWear]
  • The Making of BTS’ “Dynamite” with David Stewart | Deconstructed
  • It doesn’t Matter If Trump Never Concedes, Twitter is Giving @POTUS to Biden [Gizmodo]
  • Why Even A Small Thanksgiving Is Dangerous [FiveThirtyEight]
  • Timelapse Videos Show How Much Our Houseplants Move in a Day [Moss and Fog]
  • People Are Waiting 12 Hours In Line For the First In-N-Out in Colorado [SFGATE]
  • A Pioneering Vietnamese-American Pop-Up Bows Out After A Stellar 9-Year Run [SF Eater]
  • Carine Roitfeld Has Some Thoughts on Emily in Paris [The Cut]

Music
22 Nov 2020

BTS – Life Goes On: on my pillow

It’s safe to assume now that every time we get one official music video from the group, it’s likely we’ll get a second! Just like “Dynamite” and getting the b-side, we now have a 2nd version for “Life Goes On.” Essentially, this video is an extended scene of the second verse featuring rappers Suga and J-Hope and is the backdrop for the entire song. Their fanbase, ARMY, have already described this title track from them as a “warm hug” and this video further elaborates on that. We can’t get enough of this song even despite it’s sad undertones from reflecting on the pandemic.

Tonight the guys will perform “Life Goes On” for the first time at the American Music Awards along with “Dynamite.” I’ve heard that this was pre-recorded already and will feature Suga who has recently been out of promotional activities due to his shoulder surgery.

Music
21 Nov 2020

Cover of the Day

Now that their album is officially out, we won’t be seeing “Dynamite” for too much longer. However, I’m still holding onto for just a little while. I love this cover that AILEE and the extra effort she took in changing outfits and backdrops! It’s such a fun take on the song that really got us all moving again in the summer.

Music
20 Nov 2020

BTS – “Life Goes On”

Can I just say that being a part of this fandom has been the most fun I have had during the pandemic? As ARMY, we are spoiled with new teaser videos, photos, interviews, performances, and news constantly. Last night, BTS released their music video for the title track off their latest album, “Life Goes On.” However, they didn’t just release a music video. The event started with a live press conference with the guys talking about the latest album, “BE.” A 30-minute countdown video led to the music video. Shortly after, the album was released. To cap it off, BTS went live to discuss the new album with their fans informally. Is your head spinning?

The guys had to sacrifice a world tour to promote their last album Map of the Soul. They too, are grappling with the effects of COVID and not working the way they are used to. In “Life Goes On,” we see BTS living like us. They’re in the dorm that they reside in, playing video games, watching movies, eating pizza and being indoors. Video footage of them happily being with each other outdoors are shown in film to reflect pre-pandemic times. In the most impactful shot, we zoom in on Jin singing in the living room with the boys asleep. As the camera pans out, Jin appears alongside the group in an empty concert venue.

What made this even more special was that the music video was directed by member Jeon Jungkook. Longtime fans know that Jungkook loves being behind the camera. BANGTAN TV even let him have a series where he could share his hobby with the fans. Below is one of my favorites that I love watching on repeat. In the video, Jimin and Jungkook take a trip to Tokyo to eat, shop, and visit Disney Land. Not only is it shot and edited beautifully, but it’s an intimate behind the scenes of what the guys are doing when they aren’t just performing for us.

Where can you see BTS next? On Sunday, the guys will perform “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On” for the first time at the American Music Awards. Later on this week, the Grammy nominations will be released and every fan of theirs is crossing their fingers for them to receive their first nomination ever.

Culture
18 Nov 2020

Blog Roundup

  • Millennials Grow Up, But American Girl is Forever [Fashionista]
  • The World’s 50 Best Bars of 2020 [Hypebeast]
  • How to Carve Out “Me Time” When Work Never Ends [Fast Company]
  • 25 Movies Endings That Never Fail to Make People Cry [Buzzfeed]
  • It’s Time to Tell Your Family You Aren’t Coming Home for the Holidays [The Cut]
  • Here Are 6 Things to Consider About Holiday Travel [Vox]
  • Every BTS Song Ranked in Order of Greatness [NME]
Music
17 Nov 2020

A Promised Land Playlist

In other news, our favorite former President has just published his memoir “A Promised Land” today. Since we recently finished “Know My Name,” this memoir along with many others are at the top of my list for what’s to read next. One thing that I’ve always loved about Barack Obama as President is that he was the most relatable to my generation. He was kind, earnest, genuine, and warm. More importantly, he had exceptional taste. Previously, we’ve always shared his playlists and now with the memoir out, we’ve got another one! Today, I’m enjoying this as the backdrop to our rainy work day indoors, but I hope you can enjoy this wherever you may be.

Music
16 Nov 2020

Song of the Day

TXT – Blue Hour

I’ve probably been spending more time listening to this single more than “Dynamite” lately. TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) is another group from Big Hit’s label and are essentially brothers to BTS. We love the disco pop theme that seems to be flowing into this track as well!

Music
14 Nov 2020

Song of the Day

Red Velvet – Future

I didn’t watch this full video so I hope it’s not giving away any spoilers! I first heard this song during the new K-Drama – “Start-Up” and have been a huge fan ever since. Actually, we’ve spent quite a bit of time listening to Red Velvet this summer as well as respective side projects they’ve done. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that I love so much about this song. Is it the 80’s vibes? How hopeful the lyrics sound? All of the above?

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