some kind of amazing

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What better way to complement the cherry blossom season than to listen to songs that give off that refreshing spring vibe? This time last year, I was in the middle of my 7.5 day (how specific lol) South Korea trip. My friends and I got to experience spring at its peak! Cherry blossom flowers falling from the trees, bright flowers lining the streets, the high sun and cool wind accompanying us on our adventures -- name it! We even experienced spring showers! I'm in a nostalgic mood because Facebook kept on reminding me that I was in one of my favorite countries a year ago ㅜㅜ

Anyway, here are some Korean songs that will make you feel and appreciate the spring season more:

For when you're walking down a cherry blossom tree-lined path with your love...

Cherry Blossom Ending - Busker, Busker
As the spring wind blows
 The scattering cherry blossom petals 
Spread out on this street 
As we walk together

This is one of the most popular spring songs in South Korea. During our trip, I would always hear this song playing in shops or being performed live by random street performers (busking!)!! It's also amusing because every March-April, this song will creep back in Korea's music charts even if this was released last 2012. This song literally signals the country that heeeey~ sun's out, it's finally spring!



For when you're feeling nostalgic (and sad?) about your past love...

Continuing the JYP Nation love, I distinctly remember listening to this song last 2013 when I was still a newbie to the Kpop world. It's not your typical fluffy spring music and you can definitely feel the powerful, sad emotions behind it.

For when you need that comforting song to get you through a rough day...

Back to the fluffy music! This is one of the best stages... right? The "some" stage ;)


For when your relationship with someone has ended and you're questioning/regretting things with that said person...

I will never get tired of this song because it always makes me feel giddy! Also, Myungsoo is sooo good looking!

When you become passionate about something, it is inevitable that you will create goals to create progress with whatever that thing is. This thing may be a skill you want to master, an ideal job you want to pursue, or your dream travel destination. For me, one of my passion (if it isn't obvious enough), is fangirling over Kpop.

I've mentioned some blog posts ago that fangirling over Kpop is not just a pastime for me; it has become a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle driven by my interest on different cultures, foreign languages, and getting motivation from hardworking (and fine, good looking!) Kpop groups. As I get inspiration from my fangirling sessions, I have also written a Kpop fangirl/fanboy bucket list (#fangirlgoals) that push me further to work hard, save money, travel, and just really live life to the fullest!

I have arranged this bucket list from the easiest one to achieve vs. the most difficult one (for me)! Do we have the same Kpop fangirl/fanboy goals? ;)

[x] Buy an official/original Kpop album

So it's pretty obvious who my ultimate bias group is... I do have 2 B1A4 albums and an FTISLAND though (not in photo)!

A part of supporting my favorite group is through buying their official albums. I join group orders so that my purchase will be included in the album's first week sales -- which is important for the Kpop group to win in music shows for that specific comeback. It's a complicated process if you're not a Kpop fan... so I might have to create a separate entry for that :P

The point is, if you're an international fan, buying physical albums is one of the biggest forms of support you can give to your faves. Kpop albums are always worth it as well because these CDs often come with a photo book, a photo card, a Genie streaming pass (well, for GOT7 albums!) and the designs are always executed in a creative way. Kpop albums can be pricier than other physical albums, especially if you're buying it straight from South Korea because of the additional customs and shipping fees. 

This is definitely every fan's dream because swooning over our faves via our laptop screens is not enough! WE HAVE TO SEE THEM PERFORM LIVE! Thankfully, I have already been to 4 Kpop-related events: B1A4's Roadtrip to Manila last September 2014, 6th Kpop Convention in the Philippines (with GOT7 and Sistar!) last December 2014, GOT7's 1st Fanmeeting in the Philippines last November 2015, and FLIGHT LOG: TURBULENCE in Manila last December 2016!

[x]  Have a photo with my favorite Kpop groups

I have already checked this off my bucket list last 2014 when I had a photo with GOT7 from KCON6! I was also able to hold Jinyoung's hand that time!! I'm suddenly feeling so emo because at that time, GOT7 wasn't even a year old yet and their fanbase here in Manila was not as big as it is right now. I am proud that I've been an IGOT7/Ahgase since their debut and I've seen their journey from the start. /ok GOT7 emo session over/

I was also able to have a photo with GOT7 (duh!) again last 2015 when they had their first fanmeeting here in Manila. I chose photo op over hi-touch because I wanted to immortalize the memory. I was also lucky enough to be seated near Jinyoung (see also: Jinyoung is literally behind me! *happy cry!*). 

For GOT7's latest fanmeeting in Manila, I got the hi-touch option... which I didn't really mind because I got to hi-5 all seven members of my ultimate bias group!

[x] Travel to Seoul

Yes, a huge part of why a fangirl/fanboy wants to go to South Korea is to explore the country where our bias groups are living. This also involves practicing our Korean skills, immersing ourselves in Korean culture, buying merchandise (so much cheaper there!) and of course, visiting entertainment agencies! There's also that hope of seeing our idols during our stay there!

[  ] Attend my favorite group's concert/anniversary fan meeting in Seoul

Aside from cheaper tickets in Seoul, Kpop fans say that it's an entirely different experience when you attend a concert/fan meeting of your favorite group in their home country. I would like to have that one of a kind experience so this is one of the goals I am aiming to check off my bucket list within the year/early next (it's up to GOT7's schedule actually lol!).

[  ] Attend a music show in Seoul during my favorite group's comeback period

As an international fan, this may be difficult as you can't just book a flight to South Korea once it's confirmed that your favorites will be having a comeback. Comeback announcements usually happen just a month before the actual comeback period and a month may be too short of a time to prepare for a South Korea trip. I was just lucky when I went to South Korea last April 2016 because GOT7 was promoting that time! And to think I booked that flight 7 months before the trip :o I still didn't see GOT7 though, despite my numerous attempts!

Getting in a music show event is also difficult on its own! You'll have to line up and compete with other fans as these shows have a quota on the number of fans per fandom that they'll allow to watch the live recording :(

[  ] Attend a fansigning event in South Korea

Living the funemployed life the past months forced me to come to terms with my daily habits. I am a highly self-motivated person, yes, but like every human being, I have my lapses. As an overthinker, I have a tendency to be consumed by my thoughts which often leaves me feeling drained and tired. Because of this "mentally tired/drained" feeling, I would resort to being lazy and unproductive even if I haven't really accomplished anything significant for the day. 

Mindless web browsing is also one of the banes of my productive day. Ok fine, usually because of my fangirling! I can ignore my Facebook or Instagram for weeks (I don't even use Snapchat!) but I always have to check Twitter, YouTube, etc. for my fangirling needs. I'm working on that ok!!

Because of these factors, I figured that I should create a morning routine that would give way to a more productive and mindful day. I try to follow this routine as often as possible because it has been doing wonders in my everyday life.

Making to-do lists is a must for me so I can prioritize the things I need to do. I always make a to-do list the night before then review these tasks in the morning. I usually make 2 major goals (blog, work on something, etc.) then 2 minor goals (clean room, exfoliate, etc.). Numbering these tasks according to its priority enlightens me on what I should do first or if I lack time, what I can put off for another day. 

5.  Listen to music

After doing those "preparatory" steps, it's time to do my goals for the day! Having a morning playlist is an instant mood booster. I prefer calm, soothing music (Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Michael Buble type) so my go-to playlists give off that vibe. Since I'm also an avid Kpop fan, I love listening to chill, makes-you-want-to-fall-in-love, giddy Kpop songs when I work on my tasks. That kind of music is always my favorite, no matter what language it is!

After 8tracks has gone dysfunctional in the Philippines, I now rely on YouTube for my Kpop playlist needs. I actually have a 2016 Kpop playlist on YouTube lol! I also have Spotify and I browse through the playlists there if I'm in the mood for some Western music. I currently have a melOn pass because of GOT7's comeback (stream all day, every day) but it will only last for 30 days. It's kind of expensive (PhP 700+ pesos for 30 days) so after my pass expires, I'll go back to YouTube. I only buy a melOn pass when GOT7 has promotions because #GOT7trash lol.

Because I'm more updated on Kpop music than mainstream Western music, below are some of my current favorite tunes:

(yes these are the "chill, makes-you-want-to-fall-in-love, giddy Kpop songs" I was referring to)

John Park - Thought of You (my 24th birthday song because this was playing in K-Town while I was having my birthday lunch!)
GOT7 - Let Me (this isn't a Leana Tiu playlist if GOT7 is not involved lol // not a title track so no official MV but please buy GOT7's latest album!)
JUN K. - Think About You (JYP Nation love!)

I will be making a Kpop playlist soon so I'll just add more songs there!

There are times when I am not able to follow these 5 steps religiously. I still try to do this routine as often as I can, though, because it changes my mindset and it motivates me to do whatever I set myself to do.

Also, since I'll be having a regular work schedule again soon, I actually need to revise this morning ritual. I shall talk about that another time. :)