Confessions of an Uncle Fan: The Series (Episode 13 - Cool Stuff of the Year... So Far)

They say time flies but the first half of 2013 seemed like it just disapparated with how quickly it went by. I thought this might be a good chance to take a look back at the first half of the year with a quick Uncle Fan Year in Review... So Far. It's basically a look at some of the news from the world of girl groups to this point and the storylines we're looking forward to for the rest of the year. So everyone sit back, relax, and let's take a stroll down the short term memory lane.

Cool Stuff of the Year... So Far

SISTAR Rules

SISTAR has dominated the girl group conversation this year from SISTAR19's success with the single "Gone Not Around Any Longer" to the recently released second album 'Give It to Me'. The four ladies have had quite the run of success and it doesn't look like they're going to slow down any time soon.

The Comebacks

Alongside SISTAR, many of our favorite girl groups released new singles and albums in first half 2013. After School (Video/Teaser of the Year so far), 4minute, SECRET, T-ara N4 (see next item), Rainbow, and Girl's Day were just some of the big names to drop their latest hits all within a few months of each other. With 2NE1 set to unveil their first single in quite a while next week and Girl's Generation's first English album scheduled for later this year, it already looks like things are heating up for the second half of 2013.

T-ara N4 and the Chris Brown Fiasco

I still don't get it. From what I can tell, the single "Countryside Life" started off with a lot of 

promise (I was a huge fan) and just fizzled after this whole deal. I understand that K-pop 

companies are foaming at the mouth to break into the U.S. market but this was just not the right move.

Sun Gets Married

Not only is the Wonder Girl's leader the first of this generation of idol stars to marry, but to my knowledge, she might be the first idol star to get married in the middle of her idol career. The love story continued with even more good news when the couple announced that they are expecting their first child. #jealous

The Rise of Instagram

Instagram is quickly becoming the preferred method for many of our favorite K-pop stars to stay in touch with their fans. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so why limit yourself to 140 characters when you can just upload a photo? Plus, with photos, language becomes less of an issue making it easier to convey a message so hopefully, more and more idols will join the bandwagon.

Hyeri and Tony Sitting in a Tree

For the most part, K-pop dating scandals are rarely shocking but Girl's Day's Hyeri and former H.O.T member Tony An dating was a bit of a surprise. The age difference is definitely a part of it and I guess I was just weirded out by it. Oh well, as long as they're happy, far be it for me to judge.

Anna Kendrick + f(x) = Very Cool 

One of the coolest crossover videos from K-pop, actress Anna Kendrick joined forces with f(x) and Funnyordie.com for this viral, instant classic. I don't know how it all happened but we need more of this. By the way, I always do one of these equations each week and I wanted to actually work in the mathematical 'function of x' but I don't remember how it works. #imold

Girl Group Round-Up

A recap of all the girl group appearances on variety shows this past week (that I was able to 

watch). Feel free to add any that I missed.

1. 'Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education' - Bora (See Favorite Girl Groupers #4)

2. 'Weekly Idol' - Part 2 of SECRET, Rainbow, 4minute

3. 'Radio Star' - Kahi

4. 'Incarnation' - Hyori, CL, Dara

5. 'Star King' - After School (See #2 in Top 5 Girl Groupers)

6. 'Infinity Challenge' - Former girl group member Seo Ji Young in an unscheduled 

appearance (not to mention a shirtless Choi Siwon and fully clothed Kangin)

7. 'Running Man' - Sulli (setting up next week's episode)

8. '1000 Song Challenge' - Min and Fei (winner winner chicken dinner!)

The Taeyeon Experiment

For the past three months I've been sharing pictures from Taeyeon's Instagram account in 

the hopes that one day she'll notice this little project and post a picture of herself reading this column. I realize it's a long shot but this is my weird way of professing my fandom for her.

You can now upload short video clips on Instagram as well as photos and Taeyeon took full use of the new capabilities while on a plane with her fellow members. 

Pic/.Gif/Video of the Week

Seohyun, Kim Shin Young, Hyoyeon, and G.NA at miss A Min's birthday party. Happy birthday!!

Photo courtesy of G.NA's Instagram @babyyykinzz

Send me your cool pictures, videos, and .gifs so we can share with the world! Email me at KpopUncleFan@gmail.com or Tweet me @KpopUncleFan

Uncle Fan Mailbag

Yes indeedy! "So this article will be [posted] every Wednesday (KST), right?"

-soshibias1250901

I'm assuming "KST" means Korean Standard Time in which case, yes, every  

Wednesday (or sometimes late Tuesday).

Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. [In-depth response explaining EXO to me].

-whirlsxoxo98

Thanks for the info and at least now I know some of the member names and their 

popular songs.

I had to look that one up. "Taeyeon + Harry Potter = Perfect OTP!"

-tralala

Man I'm such a dork, I had to look up OTP (one true pairing for all you old heads).

A Few Non-Kpop Related Things

1. If you live out on the West Coast of the U.S., I feel for you. Record high temps (Death Valley, CA might break the world record for hottest temperature ever recorded on earth), tragic wildfires, and generally unsafe conditions. It can't be fun right now but I hope everyone can stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe.
2. So Kim Kardshian and Kanye West really named their kid North West? Is there a 21st century acronym for, "What is wrong with you?" 
3. Who is Austin Mahone and why is he so famous?
4. Korean women have been a major force on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) for some time now but over the weekend, 24 year old Inbee Park won the U.S. Women's Open to win the first three major tournaments to start the season. To put that in context, she's the first in the modern era to accomplish this and she has a good chance of winning the Grand Slam in the same calendar year.
5. Happy 4th of July to everyone in the States! 

Top 5 Favorite Girl Groupers of 2013... So Far

1. Taeyeon - I am openly biased towards the Girl's Generation leader but what kept her at the top for me were her constant updates on Instagram and willingness to open the curtain a little on her life for fans. In addition to the new GG album, I'm patiently the new TTS album which will hopefully be released this year as well.
2. IU - I always liked IU the singer but she really impressed me with her acting this year playing the lead in the drama 'You're the Best Lee Soon Shin'. The story line is slowing down a bit but IU's acting has been much better than expected.
3. Nana - UEE and Lizzy have gotten a lot of press in the past but 2013 looks to be the year of Nana. From amazingly hot teaser images to some bad-ass pole dancing, Nana is the new face of the After School.
4. Bora - The "athlete-dol" was all over the place in 2013, including an appearance on the show, 'Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education'. While her schedule probably doesn't allow it, it would be great to have her on as a regular member.
5. Hyori - Not a current girl group member but her return to the K-pop scene just reminded me that she's really in a league all her own. 

Song of the Week

4minute's - "Is it Poppin'?" ran into a little controversy because of some dicey lyrics (by 

inconsistent Korean broadcast company standards) but the song is a breezy, summer tune and more poppy than their recent music. By the way, what's up with the guy wearing the shirt that says "Satan" with the number 13? Do you think he saw that and said, "Uhhh... really? I have to wear this?"

The first half of 2013 has definitely had some good moments, some bad moments, and some weird moments; certainly more than I could cover in just a single article. It's been a fun first half but everyone knows the game doesn't really matter and heat up until the 2nd half. Can't wait to see what's next.