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Big Bang is Still Killing It...

...and they haven't even released their album yet.  Craziness. I told myself yesterday that I was going to relax on the Big Bang posts for a bit because I was starting to feel like a Big Bang fansite, not that that's a bad thing.  THEN... they release something like this: "Bad Boy" teaser- Source:  BIGBANG

EXO Is Always At The Airport: A Fashion Retrospective

It's true.... The members of EXO-K and EXO-M are ALWAYS at the airport.  I'm never sure where they're going or what they're going to be doing when they get there, but I'm forever seeing the pics.  There's often some major fashion moments taking place in these pics; some good, some bad but always notable.  Enjoy: This post is image heavy

So You Were Wondering What EXO's "Wolf" & "Growl" Drama Version MVs Are About? Pt. 1

It has come to my attention that people are confused as hell about EXO 's " Wolf " and " Growl " drama version MVs, and have been since they came out.  Well, it's your lucky day, because I'm here to explain the shit out of them for you, in the way I know best: I'm going to tell you a little story.  Fyi, this will be done in two parts, so bear with me.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted

By: Joan M.

A recent article in a British newspaper pointed out that Korean men now wear a lot more makeup than they did a generation ago.  It has become more common for men to apply foundation and eyeliner before going out in the morning.

I blame it all on the flower boys—not that I’m complaining.

Actors such as Jang Geun Suk and singers such as G-Dragon regularly model for cosmetic and skin care companies, with the main selling point being their flower boy good looks.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted
Jang Geun Suk for Nature Republic.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted
G-Dragon for The Saem cosmetics.

It’s more than just wearing makeup.  Flower boys dress up and act in ways that American men might consider effeminate.  One definition for a flower boy or man is someone who is soft and romantic.  But flower boys are also pretty, very pretty, and often have no qualms about dressing androgynously.

K-dramas such as "Flower Boy Ramen Shop", "Shut Up and Let’s Go" (also known as Shut Up Flower Boy Band) and most recently "Flower Boy Next Door", have all done their part to promote the flower boy appeal.  And then there was "Boys Over Flowers", whose pack of super popular good-looking rich boys was known as F4 for Flower 4.

In every one of these series, some lucky girl is surrounded by a gaggle of gorgeous young men who occasionally have better haircuts than she does and often better wardrobes.

On occasion they are better at applying eyeliner.

In "Flower Boy Ramen Shop", four attractive young men help a poor college student run her late father’s ramen shop.  The hero, played by Jung Il Woo, dresses to kill and never has a hair out of place while the heroine, played by Lee Chung-Ah, plays basketball and is occasionally a sweaty wreck.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted

In "Flower Boy Band", the band, appropriately named Eye Candy, dazzles every girl they meet with the sheer volume of their eyeliner (and to be honest, some great music).

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted

In "Flower Boy Next Door"  the hero, played by Yoon Shi-Yoon, dresses with great style while the object of his affections, played by Park Shin-Hye sleeps in her clothes.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted

And of course in "Boys Over Flowers", the plucky heroine Geum Jan Di is poor and generally clueless about clothes and makeup, while F4 members import their couture.

[K-Dramatic] A Flower Boy And Their Makeup Are Never Parted

Prizing men for the attention they pay to their looks may be a uniquely Korean phenomenon with a historical precedent.  During the 10th century, an elite association, called the Hwarang or Flower Boys, was known for its cultural achievements as well as the members' physical beauty, use of makeup and decorations.  But whatever its origin, it’s a standard of beauty that, thanks to K-dramas, is loved around the world.

If I had to choose, my favorite flower boy would be Cha Chi Soo, the character played by Jung Il Woo, in "Flower Boy Ramen Shop".

Do you have a favorite flower boy? If so, write and let me know.

Cr. Joan Vos Macdonald

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Popular posts from this blog

Big Bang is Still Killing It...

...and they haven't even released their album yet.  Craziness. I told myself yesterday that I was going to relax on the Big Bang posts for a bit because I was starting to feel like a Big Bang fansite, not that that's a bad thing.  THEN... they release something like this: "Bad Boy" teaser- Source:  BIGBANG

Steal Their Style: As Requested, Some SHINee "Dream Girl" Fashion

Other blogs have already talked about SHINee 's " Dream Girl " mv fashion and what brands they're wearing, but a few visitors to the blog have asked me for some specific items. LC asked me where she could get Jonghyun 's white floral pants from the mv, w hich he also wore at their  Naver comeback special :

Jonghyun and Taemin Do Seo Taiji's "Internet War", Tear the House Down 120818

I had to post this 'cause they did it again.