Boice For A Day (CNBlue Appreciation Post)

(1) I am mostly into homegrown talents/bands and/or Western bands. This may have rooted from my lyric-person side and partly being lazy, that I am into well, you know, into songs of which I can totally understand without having to Google their lyrics/meanings. There are a few exceptions, though, because I also listen to a couple of J-rock/J-pop/anime soundtracks...uh yeah, I know I have a pretty contradicting stance. But the point is, Nihonggo is easier to learn to sing and read and understand (that's just me, though haha) so I listen to them more, compared to Korean songs, at least. (Not until recently when You From Another Star is out and I am introduced to Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-Hyun and I downloaded the full soundtrack that I listen to Korean songs/ballads whenever I miss my favourite pair.)

(2) Make-up/costume wearing dudes dancing in-synch is not my thing, although one may say that I appreciate them an awful lot than one would have expected from a non-super fan. On a side note, I knew a few catchy songs from some K-Pop groups, too. I just don't dig them to a point of buying stuff and being updated all the time. (That Korean-related spazzing at the moment is reserved to Kim Soo-hyun alone. Heh.) And to me, I don't know if it's the same pretty, flawless faces and peculiar hairdos but they all look the same.

But as per my recent discovery, the entertainment value of their every show is so high, and the production and the effort from the performers and staff as a whole are really commendable, not to mention the heartwarming fan service every single time, no wonder many people from different races are so into them. To be honest, ten plus thousands for some seconds of a fangirl's heaven (fan service)? I swear I won't complain a single thing because the VIP area is just so worth every penny. 

Truth is, I am open to any sort of music. One may even get surprised on the huge range of genres that you will find on my music player. Not that I really don't dig K-Pop but in this case I'd like to think that I may not have just found someone or some group in the K-pop genre to actually like (a lot) and support. Like that feeling when you were introduced into something and/or someone and you knew right then that they are it? Not that it is a must to have one, of course, but there always has to be like the pillar of something, right?

I have always been curious about CN Blue and why my friends are so into them. I used to think, okay, another K-pop group, what's so special?

Answering my own question I have found out that unlike most groups, they are actually a band. They do not just dance but they can bloody play instruments!!!!!! 

I am somehow impressed....to think that I have not heard a single song from them then. I do not even know what their band name stands for. There is not much objectiveness and facts in here (you could go check Wikipedia for that), to be honest. But these are thoughts of a fangirl with an eye (and ear) for beautiful things and people; a girl who is into good music and the amazing people who make them. 

Jung Yong-hwa, lead vocals.

Being a noob at Korean dramas, I am not even really aware that Jung Yong-hwa could act. Even more so, that the Jung Yong-hwa could SING. In fact, I still have not seen Heartstrings (one of his dramas) yet. I figured (though my friends are not admitting it to me) that this show is probably the reason why Yonghwa is mostly their bias. Also, who would not love the frontman/vocalist? His voice is downright sexy. (That coming from a non-Yong-hwa stan, I swear, is something.) I only know a few songs (5 to be exact, but that is way more songs than any K-pop groups that I know, seriously.) but his vocal runs at Can't Stop and I'm Sorry are addictively good. He is able to elicit emotions through his singing without trying too hard. He connects with the listeners and you can feel his heart as he sing. And I commend him for that.

There is something so adorable with men with their guitars. No, more like real hot. I am not sawwry. ;)

Lee Jong-hyun, lead guitar/ vocals.

His monicker (Burning) speaks volumes as to what this man has to offer. To be honest, I find his voice more manly than Yong-hwa as he provides second vocals for the band. His guitar skills, as far as I have seen on their videos is not to be taken for granted as well. Clearly, you can see his love for what he is doing and that he enjoys it every single time they perform. He is burning with passion, is all I can say.

Lee Jung-shin, bass guitar.

Don't even get me started with bass players. They are actually my weakness. The bass to me is like the backbone of any song and they are as important as any other instruments as well as the other members. They are usually the most graceful among others, slapping the bass with ease. Moreover, they never fail to impress me. That is also the case with Jung-shin. He may look shy and mysterious compared to the other three (at least in the band photos), to me he's just as perfect and talented.

But. BUT....

Kang Min-hyuk, drums.

Of the many photos (that are not even while performing with the band ha ha), one could say I am smitten. If my bias in this group is still not apparent up to now, I do not know anymore. Kang Min-hyuk looked so pure and gentle with a smile that is so sweet as a boy-next-door could have. Maybe because of his The Heirs character (While my sister is so into that drama, I am actually not and honestly the only bright spot in there, for me, is the Min-hyuk and Krystal pairing, but that's out of topic. Going back...) I never really see him as someone who could be in a band; and that he plays the drums of all the other instruments, how badass can you get? In contrast to most drummers who are typecast-ed as the ones who are left out, being on the far corner of the stage while the front man is doing his thing, making fans swoon here and there, Min-hyuk is as if screaming for equal attention like he's holding a sign saying "Notice me!!!" and notice him, I did. 

From what I have already seen which is actually not that lot, my favourite video from them is I'm Sorry mainly because of the setting. The place looks grand. And they totally rocked the streets with the almost obligatory walk full of band swagger.

Concept-wise, that of L.O.V.E. Girl is pure win. Can't Stop could have easily been a favourite but (sorry, girls) I do not like Yong-hwa's hair in there (what a nonsense, no? Hahaha.) Kidding aside, they are easy on the eye. Easy to love. Easy to relate with even, if one would carefully listen.

So is CNBlue the one? Maybe yes, maybe no. To be honest, I could not really tell. But there is something special in this group that made them stood out for me and has made me blog about them. This is the least that I could do to show my appreciation for their craft (and looks) and talent for now. Who knows, I might get to see them when they come back in Manila? We'll see. ;)

End Notes: Credits to the original owners of the photos that I have edited/used. You guys are lovely. And to my Boice friends, this post is for you. ;)