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(ENG) Travel the world on EXO's ladder

Episode 1 || Subs || Raw || Episode 2 || Subs || Raw ||  Episode 3 || Subs || Raw || *NEW* Episode 4 || Subs || Raw || Episode 5 || Subs || Raw || Episode 6 || Subs || Raw || Episode 7 || Subs || Raw || Episode 8 || Subs || Raw || Episode 9 || Subs || Raw || Episode 10 || Subs || Raw || Episode 11 || Subs || Raw || Episode 12 || Subs || Raw || Episode 13 || Subs || Raw || Episode 14 || Subs || Raw || Episode 15 || Subs || Raw || Episode 16 || Subs || Raw || Episode 17 || Subs || Raw || Episode 18 || Subs || Raw || Episode 19 || Subs || Raw || Episode 20 || Subs || Raw || Episode 21 || Subs || Raw || Episode 22 || Subs || Raw || Episode 23 || Subs || Raw || Episode 24 || Subs || Raw || Episode 25 || Subs || Raw || Episode 26 || Subs || Raw || Episode 27 || Subs || Raw || Episode 28 || Subs || Raw || Episode 29 || Subs || Raw || Episode 30 || Subs || Raw || Episode 31 || Subs || Raw || Episode 32 || Subs || Raw || Episode 33 || Subs || Raw || Episode 34 || Subs || Raw || Episode 35 || Subs || Raw || Episode 36 || Subs || Raw || Episode 37 || Subs || Raw || Episode 38 || Subs || Raw || Episode 39 || Subs || Raw || Episode 40 || Subs || Raw ||

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Photosession for @lofficielhommeskz Photo by: @asylbekd Style: @yoyoshic

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On January 21st, it’s been one year since Dimash Kudaibergen left the world in awe with his goosebump inducing vocals that honestly, didn’t - couldn’t - leave anyone indifferent.

I knew that I knew him, saw him singing before, when I watched this rendition of SOS d'un terrien un détresse of his. Then it struck me that it was his performance of Daididau I watched couple of months before that, when he won Slavyanskiy Bazar 2015. I wasn’t impressed with his looks before (because his style really was terrible, especially that haircut, jeez), but singing - well, is it ever easy to be not impressed with his singing? I did remember then that I actually saw him performing live just two month before, because it was him, one of the mentors at Bala Dauysy 2016, who performed alongside his student, when his vocal abilities induced nothing but raised eyebrows and silent accusatory “what the hell is he doing with all those high notes, he’s outsinging his own mentee, is it even necessary?”

These memories soon died out, because a) I was surprised to know that was actually him, the same guy I saw two months ago live and months prior to that on a video, guy with Vitas-like notes and a gruesome sense of style and b) I was surprised that yes, the notes went on their usual measured opera level quality and yes, he looks so different and so… impeccably good? “Hm, Chinese do know their stuff at styling then” - I thought.

Most importantly, I was surprised how the whole thing was making me feel, as I couldn’t remember any time when I’ve felt a song penetrating right through the bones, serving literal chills and perfectly transporting the mood and emotions it’s supposed to transcend. At that point, I didn’t even care he’s been pronouncing some of the words terribly wrong (even with my very limited knowledge of French, I did cringe a little on those riS and viS. #linguosnob), because that was absolutely brilliant. Not only it was clean and meticulously controlled to ensure perfect execution but so very much heartfelt and simply - beautiful.

I want to congratulate Dimash with his achievements and thank this overnight rise to international stardom. Because despite everything whoever had said, he proved he was right and he’s better than any of them. He surely does deserve this success.

Keep it up, Dimash. And good luck.

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Black Dial: The Drama

You’ve probably heard the latest news from the Q-pop world: L and Teddy are no longer in Black Dial.

Hmm, where shall I start?

***Disclaimer: For the convenience of the foreign fans who aren’t sure what has actually happened, I tried to recreate the sequence of events to get some exposition first. I’ve missed some details here and there, because this was already getting too long.***

It all began when the producers of YB Entertainment posted the announcement saying that the official Instagram accounts of L, Teddy, Ray and Black Dial were hacked, so from now on everything that’s going to be posted on those pages has nothing to do with YB. “Okay, the pages got hacked, whatever, it happens, no big deal”, I thought. BUT! After awhile I’ve noticed (first ever) IG stories posted on L’s and Teddy’s accounts with the actual L and Teddy recording each other while giddily saying something like “Did you know that we were hacked?” - “Lol, no, did we?” - “Yeah, they say we were hacked. I am hacked, you are hacked, comeback is hacked too, hahaha”.

Obviously, everyone got even more confused, like, why the hell would the producers call the accounts hacked if they were obviously not. I mean those were real L and Teddy, right?

Meanwhile, I started to read some comments about L and Teddy and something about leaving the group, which got me a huge “Wait WHAT. WTF??? Are you bloody kidding me??” moment.

I obviously couldn’t believe my eyes, because, what the hell, first Newton, now Black Dial, are you for real?? When I was about to start doubting these rumours while frantically looking for more info, there came interviews from the official press conference by YB Entertainment.

There, Yesbolat Bedelkhan with Bayan and Bota Yerimbet have formally announced that Yeskeldi Quandyq, formerly known as L, and Samat Kazmaganbet, formerly known as Teddy, were no longer the members of Black Dial, that the company had terminated their contracts, the main reason being consistent violation of the contractual terms by the former members. Moreover, according to the producers, the stage names “L” and “Teddy” and all the social media accounts belong to YB Entertainment and they cannot be used by the members should the contract be terminated.

To say I was shocked is to say nothing. Because, apparently, L and Teddy have not just left the group - they were kicked out. Not only that, they basically kicked themselves out by consistently showing insubordination, disobedience, and violation of terms in many occasions. Without feeling much remorse about it too, it seems, as they didn’t look very sad on those Instagram stories - that’s for sure.

To make the matter worse, they had no rights to use those Instagram accounts anymore, which explained the earlier announcement about “hacking”.

Frankly, that was a lot to take in, and while I was desperately trying to make sense out of whatever was happening out there, all hell let loose. Interestingly - on the producers. Because a horde or rather a flock of angry fangirls or “Ravens” started to shout accusations at the producers, blaming them in all deadly sins. According to them, it was all producers’ fault, because they intentionally kicked their “biases” out; how did they dare to be so unfairly strict with them; they were shitty producers in the first place; they should have made their comeback sooner instead of postponing it; the whole “hacking” incident was made to sabotage the members’ reputations, and their beloved L and Teddy did the right thing leaving this horrible company.

As for me, these accusations sounded too heated and not very convincing especially when I took a step back and started to actually think about it.

Well, let’s break it down, shall we?

First of all, the question of fairness seems super childish, because we’re talking about actual legal binding contracts, not some sandbox tantrums that can be resolved by shoving lollipops in kids’ mouths. If one signed a contract, it is assumed that both of the parties were aware of and agreed to all of the terms in the first place. In other words, if you in a sober mind signed a legal document, complaining about stuff that you can’t eventually commit to afterwards won’t work. Why the hell one would even sign a contract in the first place then?

Secondly, do you really think the contract was that strict? Okay, stricter than, idk, a contract signed by the guys from 91? I do very much doubt it. I’m more than sure Yerbolat isn’t that chill and understanding compared to his younger brother.

Thirdly, Black Dial is the only active project of YB Entertainment (Darrem doesn’t really count) aka literally the company’s only flagship product that was supposed to get its long-awaited comeback. Think about it: who the hell in their right minds, in such a crucial moment, would kick out members from the only existing group without a legitimate reason? No one. And there was one reason, a few actually, wasn’t there? Moreover, according to Yesbolat Bedelkhan, they’ve tried very hard to keep the group intact, to smooth out those cases of disobedience and insubordination, closing their eyes to most of them. But I guess, the situation got completely out of control, so terminating the contracts was the last resort.

Fourthly, haven’t you thought that the comeback was being postponed over the course of, what, 9 months? exactly because of the internal problems and conflicts inside BD and YB? What if the producers weren’t sure if they could proceed should have the said members continued to “misbehave”. Which they apparently did, so better cut ties earlier than later, with only one MV, and one more released song.

Next, the “hacking” incident. According to Yesbolat Bedelkhan, sometime around February 14, when BD was supposed to record a video to mark the date, L and Teddy have completely disappeared from radar, not answering anyone’s calls and/or messages. The producers even tried to reach their parents at some point, to ask if everything was alright with the boys. Strangely, the parents were not reachable as well, because apparently they have changed their contacts too. Later, the producers discovered that they couldn’t access official IG accounts of L, Teddy, Ray and Black Dial, because someone changed their passwords. I suppose it was then they guessed it was L and Teddy’s doings, which I assume was the final blow.

Finally, Yesbolat believes that someone from outside have persuaded the boys to sabotage their own places at YB Entertainment. A certain someone with a personal grudge against YB producers. I have my guesses and I won’t be surprised if this someone will collaborate with those two at some point in the future too.

Show business sucks, doesn’t it.

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Don’t get me wrong, by making a case for YB Entertainment, I don’t want to imply that Yeskeldi and Samat are inherently bad people or anything. Okay, I must admit I had my problems with Teddy and tbh wasn’t very sad to know he has left the group (yeah, I’m crude), but I did respect L very much, coming to admire his capacity for songwriting when I took on that challenge at translating their songs (Bul Soni Yemes is a lyrical masterpiece. Period.), regarding him as a very thoughtful young man. Despite personal preferences, I didn’t want anyone to leave the group in any circumstances, always hoping and betting on them to settle at least on the second place in Q-pop.

In other words, waking up to a news like this has brought me no pleasure. Further unfolding only left a bitter taste in the mouth and the feeling that you were viciously played.

However, I do still think that it was, pardon my French, totally a dick move to leave everyone and everything just like that, without a decent explanation, a formal apology to the fans at the very least. Leaving by making a public drama out of it, while openly gloating in the social media, abandoning the company, the producers and the other members who counted on them so much.

Was it fair? I think not.

I do wish them luck in whatever they’re planning to do though, just to see if it was actually worth the drama, huh.

And I do certainly wish the best of luck to YB Entertainment, to the producers and the remaining vocalists in remedying the whole situation, so to speak.

And what now? Yes, YB is having their casting in search for their new rappers and everything, but what does it tell about the whole “Q-pop movement”?

It’s impaled, sick and haven’t even grown out legs to stand upright and move properly. People are leaving the groups whenever they want, groups changing the label companies however they want, the entertainment centres are opening and closing at flick of the fingers, and we only have about eh.. 3.5 groups who are actually doing something now? With Black Dial on the resting bed, those would be Ninety One, Mad Men, Moonlight and sort of Newton~. Considering that I’m already very cautious with the latter, skeptical with the second, and Moonlight just doesn’t excite me very much, we’re coming to the default settings of just clinging to the founders for now while just observing everyone else from the distance.

Nice.

What do you think though? What was the reason for BD having so many problems with its former rappers?

Is Q-pop actually going to crumble to pieces even before it becomes anything substantial?

Feel free to comment and share, and please do leave a like at least. I’ve been writing this for ages after all.

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Moonlight - Ädemi Gon

Okay Moonlight is back with their new track, and, wow, I haven’t expected that. A weird mash of English, Kazakh and…Russian I guess? Cause that “Gon” ain’t Kazakh at all, I’m telling ya. I suppose in this case it’s “getting crazy” (but in the good way), and if you add “Ädemi” to that, then it’s getting crazy but beautifully™.

I like the jazzy feeling of it in the beginning, and I’m surprisingly not appalled by the use of English at all - idk who sang it first, but I didn’t hear any accent, really. It gets a bit scrutchy when, I think, Ansat (it was him right?) comes along, but then somehow he smoothly transitions into Kazakh that made me comment it to myself as literally “Wow, that was smooth af”.

I liked the beat, the whole sound mixing, just overall feel of the song, actually - finally, we’ve got something cheerful from them that’s not about some type of romance or any cheesy lyrical stuff they seem to be so fond of.

I’m surprised, honestly, I didn’t expect to like this song that much, as I usually viewed using too much English in Q-pop as a bit pretentious, and, well, it is a weird mash of languages, really (but I guess it shows how often we actually do mix Kazakh with Russian? I doubt I’d be able to find a legible Kazakh substitute to that “gon” tbh). I don’t usually appreciate raps by non-rappers too, but this time round Erik’s flow didn’t sound bad. Not bad at all.

Ah, and Erik actually says “Now I’m Jack Sparrow” at some point in Russian too (well, the name itself at least, because of course we watch everything in Russian dub, translating Sparrow in Kazakh would be too weird now), which I found none less than hilarious. That was a good one.

Honestly, I don’t know what these guys are thinking but these types of experimentations seem to do more good than bad, bacuse Ädemi Gon is arguably the best song in their repertoire so far. I do like that they’re staying true to their determination to find their own style too.

In other words, I approve. Very much so.

Go check it out on YouTube. You can also download it on gakku.kz

And let me know what you think, will you?

P.S. Ah, and I do very much dig the cover photo too.

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Newton – Alysqa

Newton is back with a new single! Once again, it’s a fairly slow song, although more upbeat this time. Not bad for the third try I’d say. Good to know they didn’t quite lose their touch after Young Khan’s departure.

Btw, they are prone to use certain electronic effects more than the others, I’ve noticed, if that makes any sense. I can sort of hear the characteristic sound mix, which is a good sign, I suppose? Probably, on their way to finding their own style.

Just check it out, and share your thoughts on it. Ah, and do check out their acoustic version of Awa - that one was arguably even better than the original.

Cheers.

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I know, I know, I’m so damn REGULAR with my posts recently, it’s baffling. Honestly, I do have numerous ideas in my head like writing about Tomiris to continue the historical theme that sort of started with Jah Khalib’s Medina, and, well, they’re shooting a movie right now too, aren’t they. Planned to write about Old Turkic Runes for ages now, can’t quite get down to it yet. Should touch upon movie industry in general too, and Körisū has started today. Not to mention Naūryz that’s around the corner, and other important topics I’m supposed to cover. (Although, there aren’t too many people who are actually going to read those yet, unfortunately.) And here I am resorting to just posting about Q-pop, again, thanks to Newton’s comeback. Ah, and I’m feeling I’m losing my English at a catastrophically increasing rate too. Interestingly, the same goes for Kazakh (who’d even say I live KZ huh). Anyway we’ll see how it goes. Just keep commenting and sharing, guys. After all, these days it’s the main reason for me not to abandon the whole thing altogether. Sorry for the rambling, and have a good day. ✌️

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A kaisoo moment from today’s elyxion♥ they’re so precious :“

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Please support my new blog!

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“Women of the world! Stand close in your fight for peace!” - postcard by Yu. Litvinchuk and V. Lamakh (1955)

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Ukraine’s nature

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Kyiv, Ukraine

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hey!

and

think about may

when

will

be full of

because

EUROVISION is back!!