A Hermit's Nest

100217 [long]

1) Mata (Talent Search). Best live performance i've seen (witnessed) in my life so far (and no, i'm not being biased, lol). She's a gorgeous girl with talent and charisma. Real talent baby. Thing is, she was my classmate but I did not expect her to be like that. She was quite nerdy. That was really a surprise to me.

2) I noticed too that I became quite critical with voice and singing qualities now. Ever since i was hooked on K-pop and read reviews of artists, I started to do reviews myself (though not written down). I focus on their singing not their appearance. I know it's weird but I'm somewhat happy because it will be very helpful for my future plans.

3) I didn't attend the closing ceremony. I dunno. Everybody seems to be not in the mood. (Chase was not in the mood. I was not) The thing that was left were 2NE1 songs being performed and eye-candies. Well, i've had enough of eye-candies during WT. I guess I should just study for our Math exam. I wouldn't be enjoying the program anyways (no other close friends are watching).

4) I always do the wrong choices these days (I noticed). I didn't attend the morning classes because I was lazy (too lazy to get up). I went to school that afternoon only to be informed that all afternoon classes are suspended. $#@$. I hope I won't be having the wrong choices when I start my business. Please Lord.

I've been a 2NE1 fan now for 5 months.
So i think it's about time to post this, right?

Hmm...I don't really remember when i actually started following them. lol.
Ok, yes i do.

The only vivid memory that i remember is the SNN report about Dara. I knew that she was a part of 2NE1. Actually, I didn't really care *laughs*. "Oh, good for Sandy" was my only comment. (Yeah, we're not used with dara, we call her sandy or sandara.)

I think i got to know them in May but only became an active fan in July. The effects were not really nice. The fandom is a challenge to me! forget that, that's a different matter.

Moving on, even though i was not that interested, there was something in the SNN report that made me curious. But i just shrugged it off.

one of the news that informed non-kpop fans of dara's whereabouts

and then, just out of the blue, i searched for dara in google and youtube for their videos and i think the first 2NE1 video i saw was FIRE. My reaction was, "Whoa! is that really Sandara? She improved a lot!". (yeah, the usual reaction you will hear. lol.) i was surprised! how the hell did that happen? Honestly, i never took her singing and dancing seriously before. But she was famous as hell during her SCQ days.

Her dancing improved so much.

To be honest, i was a big Sandara Park fan during SCQ. I was in elementary grade then. I even attempted to vote for her but failed. lol. That is how much i loved and adored her. So as the millions of people who successfully voted for her. She got a total of 2 million votes for that season.

Ok, back to discovering 2NE1. I remember it was around the 2nd week of July when i started following them. It was the 2nd or 3rd perf of "I don't care" and their first win for IDC if i'm not mistaken. I was sooo clueless. i didn't know what the youtube comments were saying. and so i searched for more and found "I Don't Care Too Tired Version". That video cracked me up. I said to myself, "Cool! They must be fun to be with." That video, certainly, was the one who really got me into liking them. They are such dorks. lmao.

short hilarious clips like this can really convert someone into a fan.
Thanks to the uploader of this clip. Kamsahamnida.

I didn't know how it happened but i memorized the members' names almost instantly. after dara, i think i noticed bom next. she and dara look alike.

And then, tada "Welcome to the world of Kpop!". at first, it really hurt me when someone bashed them especially regarding dara's abilities. But now, It doesn't bother me anymore. I'm kinda used to it. I've become numb to all the bashing.

Reading the previous posts in soompi, i really wished i knew kpop earlier or at least grew with 2NE1. *sigh* How great would it have been waiting for news of when they'll possibly debut. How great would it be to hear myself saying their name - 2NE1 - several minutes after it was officially announced. Oh well, at least i still got to know them. i'm still lucky to know them earlier than those Filipinos who now love their music.

Now, i can say that it's really great to be a Kpop fan. You don't know how it felt watching their performances LIVE from korea. You don't know how excited i am seeing them on TV Patrol, SNN, E-live, Jessica Soho, etc. (Yeah, those are Filipino shows). You don't know how proud I am hearing their songs on the streets, stores, jeepneys, and other public places. (i sound like a proud omma, lol!). you really won't understand unless you're a kpop fan yourself.

even though i'm a BIG BIG 2NE1 fan and BIGBANG fan, i have high respect for other groups as well like 2PM, SuJu, SNSD. I would never bash them or be an anti. That's just ridiculous and a waste of time.

as a proof of my love for 2NE1, i already have their first mini-album (i bought it online). I was so happy when i received it. It feels good, really, to support your favorite artists. I'm planning to buy their first full album too (when it's released) and BIGBANG's, GDragon's or Taeyang's. Gaah!!! If only i was a good girl *sigh*.

Whew! that was a looong post. i wonder how many people have read scrolled down until this paragraph. hahaha! On my next posts, i would probably give my take on the shipping rivalries (thank god they're peaceful now) esp. Daragon vs Skydragon and possibly some kpop facts that non-kpop peeps should know before indulging in the kpop business. lol.

stay tuned. *wink*

These are the sites / forums that i regularly visit.

1. 21evo - "everything and anything 2ne1"
I recommend this site for those who want quick news about 2ne1.

2. ohdara! - a fansite for sandara (dara)

Forums
1. Soompi | lo-fi version
i prefer the lo-fi version because it is easier to browse ;)
2. YGLadies*
3. YGsecret21*
4. PEX: 2NE1
5. PEX: DARA

*you need to signup / register to browse these forums

Official Sites
1. Official Website
2. Official Fan Cafe

Do you want 2NE1 to come to your country (i.e. Philippines)? Well, we all want that to happen. But for now, all we can do to support the girls is by buying their album. Here are some of the sites / store where you can buy the album.

1. OK! Books (Phil)
If you live somewhere near Makati, then you're damn lucky!

OK! Books
Burgos St., Makati
729-6675
Look for Rowena

Here's a pic of the store

2. YesAsia
Modes of Payment:

1. Credit Card
2. PayPal
3. COD (Japan only)
4. Coupon & YesAsia credit
5. Alipay

Click here for more info.

3. YGeshop

• Click Join
• Choose button: For Foreigners
• Click Foreigners live in overseas/in Korea
• Fill in the necessary info.
• You may need to upload your scanned ID Card (Social Security/Passport) in order for them to aprrove you as a member.
• The registration will take 1 day to process.

Source: YGeshop

4. JapKorGoodies
If you don't have a credit card, but you really want to buy the album, don't fret. You can still buy the album through this multiply site. It usually takes 2 weeks before the album is shipped.

Modes of Payment:
1. GCash
2. Western Union
3. LBC Pera Padala
4. BPI FSB
5. Unionbank
6. Paypal

Click here for more info.

2NE1 Backstage Photos
During the Cyworld Digital Music Awards (Aug 20, 2009)