[V.FRIENDS S4] SJ Returns Show Exclusive Videos

Super Junior has just finished their comeback last Nov 2017. This comeback was so special because before they did it, they decided to do a variety show on V.Live that showed the preparation of their comeback

Because the show became the top channel when it was aired, then V.Live released unaired video clips of SJ Returns in VLive+. V.Live+ is a special subscription channel that needs some V.coins to unlock and enjoy premium videos

These unreleased video clips consist of 4 videos. The videos will make you feel touch and laugh at the same time because of their craziness and friendship. Since Siwon couldn't appear in promotion of comeback, this first unreleased video will let you know how the members greeted him after discharge from military service

The second unreleased video is a meeting discussion about the promotion for their comeback. Siwon was the leader of this meeting. He gave several ideas and presented it in front of the members. Before the meeting started, he was so care for other memebers that he prepared breakfast for them.

However the discussion later on will bring more laughter. They were so serious for a moment to talk about the shared ideas but it would always end up became a funny conversation because they will tease each other during the meeting. Moreover, I can’t help but laugh because of Kim Heechul. He was the funniest because the ideas he gave about sacrificing himself to put in the prison for the sake of SJ comeback and also the members' reaction was so hard to handle.

The third is a funny and silly video about what they do before sleep. It’s something you can’t imagine that was done by men in their 30s. What is it? If you are curious, go watch it yourself then. lol.

If you miss Kyuhyun so much, the last video will heal you. Because before his enlistment, SJ members went out to have lunch together with him. Since he is the maknae in group, he was the last one who joins the military service, so his hyungs gave him some tips about it. Of course during the talks we will never miss how they tease each other. Its so funny just to watch their interaction.

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[V.Friends S4] AN EXCITED SLEEP INDUCING WITH SEVENTEEN

In the end of 2017 I'm joining the V. Friends for the new season. It's V.Friends season 4. I'm so happy to have this chance again because I can review and write again. This time I'm in K-Pop Category, whereas the previous one, I was in K-Culture. I think the system for the new season is better than before. If the 3rd season all the members of the three categories (K-Pop, K-Drama and K-Culture) were put in one group chat, this season is separated into 3 groups, that's why the grand winners for this season will be given to three persons of each categories. 

I also find, it might be difficult to win weekly mission for this season, since they only pick 3 winners (prev season 5 winners). We have also new participants and I don't know what kind of platform they use to review, because they are quieter in group chat than my friends in 3rd season. We were used to share our review to give feedback. Difficult doesn't mean impossible, right? I'm sure I'll win some others soon and hopefully get the grand winning. lol

Two missions have been running since the end of Dec and in mid January. Here is my review for the first mission of V.Friends Season 4.

When people go to bed, usually they will not sleep right away unless they are too tired. These days most people will look at their phone first, check their social media and end up not being able to sleep. To handle this problem VLive provides us a show called LieV or Noopbang

There will be an invited Idol who will lie down on the bed throughout the show wearing pyjamas to help us fall asleep. This show starts at 11pm KST and runs around 1 to 1,5 hours. This time LieV invited Seventeen in the house

Seventeen is the first Kpop group with the most members that appear on LieV. There are totally 13 members in Seventeen but unluckily one member, The8 or Myungho, couldn’t attend the broadcast because of his back injury. However we still could see The8 for short time when members did a video call before they started the show

To help viewers fall asleep, on LieV Idol will talk to the viewers and play some good music. The first song Seventeen chose to play was “Clap Clap”, the title track of their lastest comeback. I think this song was too energetic rather than help viewers to sleep but to start a show with something like this was not bad idea. My favorite song “Beautiful” and “Healing” were played as the second and third song. Those songs were so nice to hear before sleep

There were some topics that will be talked during the show. Since it was broadcasted in the middle of December, they started by talking about the things they had regret and felt thankful in 2017, then the resolution they want to achieve in 2018

The main topic they talked on LieV was about school trips. They talked anything related to the school trips they had ever experienced, such as what they did during the trips and the funny moments with friends. Even Eunkwang told about scary thing but end up being a funny story.

The last segment was about guessing a member by some comments they wrote for each other before the show. There was a funny moment, when there was always "top student" comment to almost all the members. They complained and wondered to know who wrote it because he seemed too lazy to write properly.

It was such a good thing to see Seventeen enjoyed their time on LieV. They could greet fans in a comfortable way, where they can lie down on the show and talk to the fans about anything, since they were busy promoting their new album all day long.

During LieV, Seventeen were so loud because were so excited to talk to each other and it was also their first appearance in the show together. A fan even asked if they were also like that in dorm and S.Coup replied they were so much louder than here.

Although they were so loud when they had to help people fall asleep, I think they would make people fall asleep in an excited way. I could imagine myself sleeping with smile in my face remembering what they have done on the show because their action and what they talk about were so funny.

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Review Korean Drama "Wise Prison Life"

Cerita Bijak dalam Kehidupan Penjara

Ini kali pertamanya aku bikin review tentang Korean Drama. Biasanya seperti bisa dilihat di postingan ku sebelumnya, semuanya adalah review buku dan hanya satu review film. Well, aku tulis review tentang Korean Drama karena Drama ini berarti sekali dari segi cerita dan karakternya untukku. Drama yang akan aku bahas ini adalah “Wise Prison Life” atau “Prison Playbook.”

Sepintas mungkin kita hanya akan fokus pada kata “Prison” atau penjara. Mendengar kata ini, di benak ku awalnya drama ini pasti akan memiliki konflik yang berat seperti drama “Defendant” yan diperankan oleh Park Jisung atau mungkin akan penuh dengan kekerasan. Ternyata cerita dalam drama ini meruntuhkan imajinasiku karena adanya kata “Prison”  dan mengingatkan kembali bahwa ada kata “Wise” bertengger di depannya. Ya, Drama ini mengajarkan banyak kebajikan dalam hidup melalui kehidupan di penjara.

Disutradarai oleh Shin Won Ho yang telah sukses menyutradarai Reply Series, drama-dramanya yan dibuatnya menjadi ciri khasnya tersendiri. Vibe Reply Series terbawa dalam Drama Wise Prison Life ini. Walaupun Wise Prison Life menceritakan kehidupan taahun 2017, tapi vibe jadul terasa di awal episode.

Jika Reply Series banyak menceritakan tentang kehidupan keluarga dan tetangga yang mendalam, maka drama ini penuh dengan kehidupan kekeluargaan di dalam penjara, baik hubungan antar para tahanan atau antar tahanan dan sipir penjara. Karena latar tempat drama inia dalah penjara, yang harusnya berisi orang jahat, karakter antagonis pasti selalu ada untuk memberikan konflik dalam cerita.

Tokoh utama dalam drama ini adalah Kim Jehyeok, seorang pemain Pitscher baseball nasional Korea yang harus mendekam di penjara selama 1 tahun karena telah memukul penjahat hingga mengalami brain dead karena berusaha memperkosa adiknya. Beruntung selama di penjara, Kim JeHeyeok ditemani sahabat karibnya Lee Joonho dari kecil yang bekerja menjadi Sipir di penjara Seobu.

Drama ini tidak hanya terfokus pada kehidupan Kim Jehyeok saja, tetapi juga kehidupan para tahanan dan para pekerja sipir lainnya. Dalam kata lain drama ini kaya akan karakter. Pendalaman karakter pada masing-masing aktor perlu diacungi jempol. Penulis scriptnya jago sekali mengambarkan karakter tiap tokohnya dan masing-masing dari mereka memiliki keunikan yang menjadikan drama ini begitu favorite.

Seperti Kim Jehyeok, ia digambarkan dengan karakter yang sedikit
lamban dalam segala hal kecuali baseball. Baseball adalah keahliannya yang terbaik. Lee Joonho adalah gambaran friendship goal yang didambakan, dia selalu menjaga dan memikirkan Kim Jehyeok selama di penjara. Ia juga seperti coach ketika Jehyeok latihan selama di penjara.

Lalu ada Hanyang, seorang pencandu narkoba yang satu tahanan dengan Kim Jehyeok. Karakter ini menjadi karakter yang paling lucu di drama karena ia memiliki kepribadian ganda. Ia akan tampak normal ketika di bawah pengaruh obat dan akan berperilaku menyebalkan dengan kata-katanya yang tajam namun dengan tingkah seperti orang sakau ketika tidak dipengaruhi obat.

Karakter unit berikutnya adalah Kaist, ia adalah seorang penipu yang memiliki lidah yang cadel. Awalnya ku hanya berpikir bahwa tokoh ini memiliki cara pengucapan yang lucu hingga temanku bilang bahwa ia sebenarnya adalah tokoh yang cadel. Ini jadi kali pertamanya kami menyaksikan drama yang memiliki pemain yang cadel. Sekaligus mendengar perbedaan antara cadel versi bahasa Indonesia dan Korea.

Tokoh menarik lainnya adalah Paeng Lieutenant atau sipir Paeng. Ia adalah sipir dengan wajah yang antagonis dan selalu berkata “b*st*rd” kepada para tahanan tapi dibalik kata-katanya itu, ia adalah sipir yang paling baik dan pengertian kepada para tahanan. Selama para tahanan itu bersikap sopan dan wajar, ia memperlakukan para tahanan seperti selayaknya manusia diperlakukan bukan seperti penjahat yang harus dikerasi kecuali jika mereka memang berbuat di luar batas.

Setiap tokoh di drama ini memiliki masalahnya masing-masing, namun para tahanan yang tinggal satu sel dengan Kim Jehyeok adalah contoh teman-teman tahanan yang ideal. Layaknya keluarga mereka selalu mengerti satu sama lain, melindungi, memberi nasihat, dan terkadang mereka berkelahi dalam hal yang baik.

Setiap tokohnya juga memiliki masalah yang berat dalam kehidupan di dalam dan luar penjara. Namun bukan berarti drama ini selalu serius dalam bercerita. Banyak sekali adegan dalam drama ini yang semula sedang membahas masalah yang serius lalu akan berakhir dengan adegan humor ringan tetapi mampu mengocok perut.

Pada akhirnya banyak hikmah kehidupan yang bisa dipetik dalam drama ini dari mulai adegan hingga dialog-dialognya antar tokohnya. Mengenai kerja keras, mimpi, keterpurukan, arti hidup, dan makna keluarga.

Mungkin drama ini tidak sehits Goblin dan Descendants of Sun tapi aku benar-benar sangat menyukai drama ini dan karakter-karakternya. Such a nice storyline and nice characters.

Continue reading Review Korean Drama "Wise Prison Life"

Kim Jong Hyun's Death Teaches Me Life

It's been 10 days after Kim Jong Hyun passed away on December 18, 2017. His death brought so much tears from his family, friends, fans, and also other KPop fans. No one ever expected that he would have gone by taken his own life because he felt depressed. He was such bright and funny person. Even before he is dead, he already finished his concert, filming a variety show "Night Goblin, and filming his MV for his solo comeback next year in 2018. The Director of the MV and Night Goblin said that he was so bright and fun and never thought that he felt depressed.

pic from twt @gehenna1986

He was found dead by police after they received a call from his sister on 4 PM that she thought his brother was about to commit a suicide. Unfortunately police arrived at his residence at 6 PM and found that there was a frying fan with brown liquid and Jong Hyun died by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Later than his death's announcement, one of his friend said that he was frustrated because his ability in making music was worsening. The next day, Nine9 revealed the letter from Jong Hyun, that he asked her to publish after he's gone. In letter, he wrote about how depressed he was and the pain he felt.

After hearing the news of his death, I was so shock and didn't believe it at first. I was Shinee's fan when I first time listened to KPop and as far as I know he never caused any problems or scandals that would made him took his life and I also like his solo music. However, we may never knew what other people have been through in their life.

When I knew the reason behind his death was depression, it reminded me of the message of BTS' new album Love Yourself: Her. The teaser of this album told about their concern of  social problem such as depression and suicide. Especially in RM and V's photo teaser, there was an Ambigram or words written "I'm Fine" but if we turn upside down, the words can be read as "Save Me". It was such a depth meaning about someone who looks fine outside but actually he/she needs help inside.

At first when I watched "I Need U" MV by BTS, I always thought that they are so overreacted when they have problem. I mean like they are not supposed to be that depressed maybe because fortunately I never felt that way and my society is also fine. Until I found the reason that BTS wants to bring a message about the struggle of people who are depressed. Then I realized that the other part of this world, there are some people who have this kind of problem. Especially in the advanced country like USA, Japan, and Korea, which have a high suicide rate, whereas in my country, Indonesia, we barely hear news about it.

Jong Hyun's case made me feel very grateful to be born as a Moslem. We are taught that when we have problem we have Allah who will helps us and He never gives something that beyond our ability. He always has the answer in every problem through His Kalam in Koran. Maybe that's why every time I have a hard time, I always tell my problem to Him in my prayer. I also share it to my best friends because after that I feel so much better.

Unfortunately not many people have this belief, people who have hardship are in different condition, different religion, different culture, etc. Family, friends, and society play an important role of someone's condition. That's why I'm wondering if my friends or family have this kind of hardship and I want them to share their pain so it can make them feel better.

Everyone must be has a hardship. Everyone is struggling for his life. There is someone who is struggling physically or psychically. However there must be a way out of that situation. We have to believe that. We gotta endure the pain until the pain vanishes because we live in this world for a reason. We also need to watch our family and friends who might need our help, at least be there for them so they don't feel lonely.

In Jong Hyun's letter stated this sentence "when the doctor blamed my personality with a quiet voice, I thought it was easy to be a doctor." Here, I realized again that we need to be careful about what we say anything to someone else. It might hurt our communicant indirectly and became a wound in their heart. I always remember what Rasulullah SAW said "just say good things or remain silent." Sometime we just need to change our perspective to understand other people. Like my case which I didn't know about the depression before watching BTS MV.

Finally I can say by what BTS say in their latest album, Love Yourself, Love Myself. Let's live wisely.

Continue reading Kim Jong Hyun's Death Teaches Me Life

Review Film Coco

Antara Keluarga dan Impian

Dalam rangka Hari Thanksgiving, Disney dan Pixar hadir menyuguhkan film animasi terbaru berjudul Coco. Film ini menceritakan tentang makna mengejar mimpi dan kehadiran keluarga. Dengan latar belakang kehidupan budaya Meksiko, tokoh utama dalam film ini adalah seorang anak laki-laki berusia 12 tahun bernama Miguel. Miguel adalah salah cicit dari buyutnya bernama Coco.

Miguel memiliki sejarah silsilah keluarga yang sangat rinci dan selalu dilestarikan dengan diceritakan kepada keturunan di keluarganya. Keluarganya adalah pengusaha sepatu yang dimulai dari ibu buyutnya Miguel yaitu ibu Coco. Ibu Coco memulai bisnis sepatu karena ditinggalkan oleh suaminya yang lebih memilih mengejar musik dari pada keluarga. Hingga karena hal ini seluruh keluarga Migeul dilarang berurusan dengan musik, tetapi harus disibukkan dengan sepatu yang menjadi mata pencarian buyut-buyutnya.

Namun darah seni tetap mengalir di tubuh Miguel. Secara diam-diam ia pun belajar bermusik dan membangun sebuah tempat rahasia untuk mengembangkan bakatnya tanpa sepengetahuan keluarganya.  Hingga ada sebuah kompetisi musik di dekat kota yang ingin sekali Migeul ikuti, sayangnya hal itu ditentang oleh keluarganya.

Bertepatan dengan hari perayaan Orang Mati di Mexiko, Migeul pun nekad kabur di malam hari untuk mengikuti kompetisi musik tersebut. Sayangnya untuk mengikuti kompetisi itu, Migeul harus memiliki alat musik. Ia pun akhirnya pergi ke pemakaman untuk "meminjam" gitar yang tergantung di makam penyanyi idolanya yang ia yakini sebagai kakek buyutnya.

Seketika ia mengambil gitar tersebut, tanpa sadar Migeul sudah berada di dunia Orang Mati. Ia tidak bisa terlihat oleh keluarganya yang masih hidup, tetapi ia dapat dilihat dan melihat orang mati yang digambarkan dengan tengkorak dalam film ini. Di dunia ini pun ia bertemu dengan seluruh keluarganya yang sudah meninggal. Kebenaran mengenai sejarah keluarga pun terkuak saat Minguel berpetualang di negeri ini untuk kembali pulang.

Film Coco mengenalkan kita tentang budaya Día de los Muertos atau peringatan hari Orang Mati di Meksiko. Betapa keluarga yang masih hidup memiliki peran penting kepada keluarga mereka yang sudah meninggal. Keluarga di Meksiko melestarikan budaya ini agar roh dapat kembali pulang ke rumah saat hari Peringatan Orang Mati tiba menurut kepercayaan budaya mereka.

Pada hari kematian ini mereka memasang foto keluarga mereka dari mulai buyut hingga keluarga yang baru saja meninggal di atas sebuah altar. Kemudian mereka menaburkan bunga dari pemakaman hingga ke altar rumah mereka. Tujuannya adalah agar mereka tidak tersesat saat kembali ke rumah dan dapat berkumpul serta melihat keluarga mereka yang masih hidup.

Selain itu Coco mengajarkan arti penting tentang kehadiran keluarga dan mengejar mimpi. Mengenai hal ini,  Coco seperti berusaha untuk berada di dua pihak, si anak dan keluarga. Melalui cerita Miguel, Coco mengajarkan keluarga atau orang tua untuk tetap mendukung mimpi anak-anak mereka dan tidak membatasi atau melarang hal yang menjadi kesukaan mereka.

Tetapi dari sisi keluarga, Coco mencoba mengajarkan kepada anak-anak bahwa keluarga adalah tempat terbaik di dunia. Keluarga adalah tempat kembali dan akan selalu menerima keadaan kita. Keluarga sebenarnya hanya menginginkan hal yang terbaik bagi anak-anak mereka di masa depan.

Mengenai animasi tidak perlu diragukan lagi, Disney dan Pixar selalu menguguhkan karya terbaik. Kali ini latar belakang film Coco didominasi oleh warna ungu untuk bangunan-bangunan yang ada di negeri Orang Mati dan warna Orange yang menjadi jembatan Orang Mati untuk mengunjungi keluarganya yang masih hidup.

Bila kebanyakan film dan mindset kita menggambarkan dunia Orang Mati adalah dunia yang menakutkan, Disney/Pixar mencoba menggambarkan bahwa dunia Orang Mati tidaklah menakutkan. Justru dunia ini tidak kalah indahnya dengan dunia orang hidup. Melalui petualangan Migeul, kehidupan Orang Mati diilustrasikan sama halnya seperti kehidupan manusia biasa. Hanya saja ada perbedaan yang tidak bisa dilakukan mereka di dunia itu.

Karakter tengkorang dalam film ini juga tidak digambarkan begitu menyeramkan. Tentu saja karena pertimbangan lainnya adalah untuk penonton anak-anak, karakter tengkorang berusaha digambarkan dengan bentuk dan aksi yang lucu.

Sayangnya sebelum film Coco diputar, Disney menyajikan film pendek Frozen: Olaf’s Frozen Adventure diawal film. Awalnya saya pikir dari kisah Frozen ini akan disambungkan menjadi awal cerita film Coco. Ternyata film ini dijadikan film pembuka. Kehadiran film pendek inipun menjadi kontroversi di beberapa negara terutama di Meksiko karena durasinya yang terlalu panjang untuk dikatakan film pendek.

Selain itu menurut mereka Disney terkesan ingin menunjukkan film yang banyak terisi orang kulit putih terlebih dahulu baru kulit hitam. Saya sendiri pun sempat berpikir apakah saya salah masuk studio karena Frozen took too much time on screen. Hampir saja saya ingin meninggalkan studio dan bertanya pada petugas kalau saja film Coco tidak segera juga muncul.

Continue reading Review Film Coco