by Brainiac5 » Wed Jan 01, 2020 8:15 am
On this the last day of the year, I want to reflect on my experiences with k-pop over the last twelve months.
This year I went to my first k-pop concert, NCT 127 The Origin in Toronto. I had a really good time, and even made t-shirts for the event. My best friend who went with me bought a lightstick too. So far none of my other groups have tour stops anywhere closer than New York city, but I hope to see at least one group in the new year.
I started stanning a few groups, and picked up at least half a dozen casual groups. Among these are A.C.E, SF9, Onewe, TST, Boys Da Capo, Cix, Argon, OnlyOneOf, NewKidd, and probably a few I’ve forgotten.
I became a VIP, which I could have included above but the impact it’s had on my life already has been huge. GD’s discharge happened in the midst of a time of crisis for two of my favourite groups (Stray Kids and Monsta X losing a member each) and getting into BIGBANG allowed me to soldier on.
Many of my groups have had tough times this year, as have many idols I don’t follow. This will forever be remembered as the year we lost Sulli, and others. This year was also the year that Seungri was charged and ended up leaving the industry. Many groups lost members this year, and some groups even disbanded.
Of course this was also the year that NU’EST made it big, at last. Getting their first win as OT5, going to awards shows. I don’t have to worry about them anymore, even if they get hate from butthurt Wannables.
The future of many of my groups is uncertain. X1 has dropped off the map in wake of the P101 voting scandal, leaving Kim Wooseok of UP10TION, plus all those other boys, with no clear fate(as far as I know). Plenty of Monbebe hold out hope for Wonho’s return. Monsta X have been suffering a lot of illness lately. I stan a lot of rookie groups who may never make it, as well as underrated groups who have flown beneath most people’s radar for years. All we can do is support them and hope for the best.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new year. We have to press forward, not forgetting the pain of the past but learning from it. There will be challenges, but there will be triumphs as well.
