Let's Learn Together: 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) // EXO

Let's Learn Together:  늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) // EXO

Song:  늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)
Artist:  EXO

Album:  XOXO (Kiss&Hug) [Kiss Version]

Lyrics:  Mnet Countdown - 05/30/13

Photo:  naver.com
Company:  SM Entertainment

English:  0 / 10
Translation Difficulty:  6 / 10 

Please credit: "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast"
[Edit: 3/27/14]

Just A Few Words:
I really didn't think I'd like this songs since I really didn't like the original leak from way back when.  But after listening to it for awhile, I really like it (kind of the way "IGAB" grew on me).

An interesting few notes on the translation:  I think that it was interesting that the one line the girl "says" (저 더러운 늑대놈이 결국 날 잡아먹겠지?) is done in a higher pitch.  It makes it easier to distinguish that she says the line, rather than relying on the grammar to figure that out.  I also don't think the English translation shows the reader enough of the wolf's soft side.  After she wonders if she'll get eaten, he speaks to her in honorifics! (그게 아닌데 사랑에 빠진겁니다)

I just like their use of the word "잡아먹다"...it literally means "grab and eat" and sound so much more wolfish.  Good job, SM.
Also, good job on the lack of nonscencial English!  (Let's forget about "Careless, careless, shoot, anonymous, no one who care about me?" - yes there's a question mark printed at the end of "me" in the Chinese MV...><)  Sure you mispronounced "wolf" in a way that makes the English teacher in me cringe, but at least you tried...

Lastly, SM, why is the song title "늑대와 미녀" but the lyrics read "늑대고 미녀"?  Wouldn't it just make sense to keep the song title the same as the song lyrics?  Oh well, hopefully you have your reason (or the guy doing the printing didn't really listen to the song...)

English:  0 / 10
-- Really?  One word and you can't pronounce it right?  Hara will probably disagree with me, but since they already use 늑대 in the title I don't know why they would also use 울프.  I'm going to side with the lyrics, which use "wolf" in English and the fact I distinctly hear an "f" at the end of "wolf" and not "프".

Translation Difficulty:  6 / 10

10 Words:

1. 미녀 (noun):  "beauty" or "beautiful woman"
2. 색깔 (noun):  "color" (i.e. "one's true colors").  Also:  "color" (i.e. I like the color pink.)
3. 잡아먹다 (verb):  "prey on; feed on".  Also:  "consume"
4. 발톱 (noun):  "claw" or "toenail" or "talon"
5. 병 (noun):  "weakness; fault".  Also: "disease, sickness, ailment, disorder"
6. 물다 (verb):  "bite" or "snap" or "nip".  Also: "have [hold] sth in one's mouth"
7. 다음 (preposition):  "(the) next, the following)"
8. 보름달 (noun):  "the full moon"
9. 늑대 (noun):  "wolf"
10. 특별 (adverb):  "special"

Credit:  dic.naver.com

Politeness Level:

Casual

The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience.  They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.

EXO's Wolf - Teasers - MVs

EXO's teasers for "Wolf" have been unleashed!

First of all, I didn't think I'd like "Wolf".  The leaked version (which you can no longer access on YouTube) was definitely my least favorite EXO song.  But they seemed to have revamped it a little.

However, I do take issue with their pronunciation of "wolf".  With a host of native English speakers under their belt (Tiffany, Henry, Amber, Jessica - heck even Krystal, BoA, and Kris have good enough pronunciation), you think they'd have SOMEONE checking pronunciation and grammar for their studio releases.
Seeing as my dad constantly hammered pronunciation into my head (it bothers me how people can say "well" and "whale" exactly the same way), it is laughable the way they say "oolf".
"I'm a oolf, I'm a oolf!" ....*fail* -_-

Anyway I am excited for the music video!  Finally we might get a music video from SM with a story line, a là Zhang Liyin's "I will" and "Timeless"!
A drama version and dance version would be lovely!

What's Popular Right Now

For those of you interested, the songs that I keep hearing over and over are:

• Secret's "YooHoo"
• 4Minute's "What's Your Name?"
• HELLOVENUS's "Would You Like Some Tea?"
• B1A4's "What's Going On?"
• Younha's "The Real Reason We Broke Up"
• Lee Hyori's "Miss Korea"
• T-ARA N-4's "Courtylife Diary"

We got here on the tail end of SHINee's promotions so we're not hearing as much from them, but they're still getting airtime!

With the amount of times I've seem the music videos and/or reruns of their live stages, who needs YouTube to learn their dances?  I'm pretty sure I can dance to the chorus of "YooHoo" right now after seeing it 15 million times on TV...
Also, with the catchy formula of most K-Pop songs, I'm learning that after listening to a song enough you can easily come to like/tolerate it.  I hadn't really given much thought to HELLOVENUS or Secret before but now I am totally in love with "Would You Like Some Tea?" and "YooHoo".  Same goes for Younha's "The Real Reason We Broke Up'!

EXO Comeback!!!!! - [UPDATE] Photos!

As you probably know now, I'm a huge EXO fan.

I was hoping they would make a comeback and they are!!!!!!!

Credit:  allkpop / SM Entertainment

Here's hoping the album is released before I leave Korea so I can get my hands on it!!!!

Yay!!!  Dream come true :D

Their teasers start coming out on the 17th!!!

[UPDATE]  It's going to be a full length album (*dies with happiness*) that is called "XOXO (Kiss&Hug)"
To me it sounds like it should be the title to a Girls' Generation song.  It will be interesting to see if they break from the cool dark image they established with their debut.  Maybe a turnaround like B1A4 did with "Learning to Walk" versus the bubbly image they had/have with "Baby Goodnight" and "What's Going On?" only in the opposite direction???
But I'm excited none the less. :D

[UPDATE]  The release date is June 3rd!  Sadly, I will no longer be in Korea... T-T

Credit:  allkpop / SM Entertainment

My Thoughts On Auditioning: My Experience

Here are some thing that I realized while auditioning.  While all my advice will stay the same, I've made some person realizations and convictions.  I auditioned at a Weekly Audition at a time where it was mostly just the regular crowd, not full of tourists and K-Pop fans.

• If you say you're merely "okay" with singing, you really need to take some more lessons before auditioning.  These kids are really good.  (I'll post a clip of me singing for comparison.  I did fairly well compared to all of them.)
• If you are older than 17 for girls and 19 for boys, you better be pretty, bilingual (Korean and __), talented, and charismatic (I've got about 2.1 of those things down...) for them to seriously consider you.  Most of the kids auditioning are middle schoolers or early high schoolers.  Not to say you can't audition if you're not all that, but you're chances of getting picked seriously drop after that.
• I'm 20 and I auditioned, but I am not high on their list of future trainees. :/  Doesn't mean I can't try but I definitely should (and have) a back up plan for the future (like school and another career choice).
• Charisma is everything.  While the people I auditioned with were good, a lot of them were not memorable in the fact there was no stage presence.
• Also, the judge is extremely bored and extremely tired.  You have to be memorable enough or good enough to get her attention.
• While you should be serious, don't take it too seriously.  The nerves will just get to you.  Have fun!
• Be prepared to wait!  We were in a hot stuffy room in everysing's basement for 2 hours before the audition even started (yes, two hours after the start time...).  I'm pretty sure this is part of the SM dungeon and that if we were there any longer we would have run into Zhang Liyin and EXO...

Since I have a lot to write, I'll update this with a full briefing on my experiences.

Please Read!!

Hey everybody!!!

I am currently in Korea!!!  This means I will be a little slower in answering things for the time being. I will be forwarding some of your questions to Hara so we can speed things up.  My iPad doesnt let me comment on blogspot.  :/  Sorry for the inconvenience!   If you have an urgent question, please EMAIL me!

Let's Sing Together: 소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Let's Sing Together:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) // 소녀시대

Song:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie)
Artist:  Girls' Generation
Album:  소원을 말해봐 (Genie) [EP]

Original English lyrics by:  angelsfallfast
Please credit "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast" when using the lyrics.

Just tell me whatcha wish!

I wanna know your wish, even the little ones.

Imagine your ideal type is standing by your side -

Then you gotta trust in me.

Cause I'm your Genie, your fantasy Genie, yeah!

Get into your dream car, fly away!
I'm at the wheel, you're by my side.

Lean back, relax and leave this all up to me!

Even if you feel you can't go on, please don't get down, just let it go!

'Cause right now I'll give you the whole wide world.